By Aliyu Mahmud
History, they say, is not just about remembering the past; it is about understanding the forces that shape the present.
Before the emergence of the Yahaya Bello-led administration was a man known as Edward Onoja, who hailed from Ogugu in Olamaboro Local Government, Kogi State.
A passionate and detribalized young man whose dream was to build a Kogi State that works for every indigene of Kogi State, irrespective of political party, religion or tribal affiliation.
The journey of the emergence of the New Direction Government was an interesting one. It started as an idea by this man, Edward, and got the rest — including Yahaya Bello — to key into the vision.
The movement was a divine one, ordained by God, as evident in how the team eventually gained access to power. It was a movement that inspired people like me till date, about how daring the young set of people who came together to pursue a common goal of having a government that unites every indigene of the state.
Few years down the line, division and seeds of discord have been sown into the minds of the people. People divided the once formidable house into camps with their mouths and assumptions, and the once formidable house began to shake.
The role Chief Edward played in holding the house together cannot be overemphasized. He was not just overseeing the affairs of Kogi East as the highest political office holder from that district as at then; he was paying attention to what happens in other districts to prevent cracks within the house.
One of those occasions was when an article was written against the former Chairman of Okene Local Government by a Kogi Central citizen. The then Deputy Governor, Chief Edward, called me immediately and gave a simple instruction:
“That is my principal’s local government. It gives a wrong impression to see fights between public office holders from that local government. I do not want to hear any further write-up of such. Look for the person and convince him to sheath his pen moving forward.”
I responded, “Yes Sir,” and I did as instructed.
That was how much he cared about sustaining the house.
Unlike now, when many seem to be aggrieved but refused to express their grievances.
The strength of any political family is not only in the number of people within it, but in its ability to manage differences, accommodate grievances and protect the foundation upon which it was built.
Now that a reconciliation committee has been set up, it is up to the Kogi State APC leaders to be sincere with the approach. Appease and apologize to whoever needs to be apologized to. There is no shame in reconciliation; the greater shame is allowing a house that took years to build to collapse because of avoidable differences.
This is why the return of Chief Edward Onoja to the center of the New Direction political family is important. His experience, relationships, understanding of the people and, most importantly, his ability to see beyond immediate political interests can help rebuild confidence and restore the unity that once defined the family.
We must learn to listen to Edward whenever he advises. He is a man naturally gifted with exceptional critical and strategic thinking and excellent execution of plans.
The New Direction political family may have gone through difficult moments, but the foundation can still be preserved.
Sometimes, what a house needs is not a new foundation, but a return to the foundation upon which it was built.
– Aliyu Mahmud
Convener, Vote For Us Campaign
