Kogi state continues to herald news of perpetual misfortune. The death of its prominent citizens can be over ruled as nature’s inevitable curse to human existence. For those who believe in paranormal occurrence, the deaths of Prince Audu Abubakar, the former governor of the state, and Ocholi James (SAN), whose tragic car accident a few weeks ago, along Abuja-Kaduna express way, would be attributed to human’s evil machinations or interference with God’s designed destiny.
In any case, this article is not about the irreparable loss of the illustrious sons of the state mentioned above, but the maladministration of Kogi state.
To date, late Prince Audu Abubakar is considered the only leader who brought meaningful development to Kogi. In contrast, Ibrahim Idris, his successor, destroyed every fabric of development that would have furthered Audu’s effort. After nine years of orchestrated misrule, Idris, (alias Ibro), stepped out of line to ensure victory of a Protégé, Captain Idris Wada.
Captain Wada exhibited pure inadequacy in the knowledge of how to govern a society of people. The resultant effect of his maladministration led to the most fierce election battle ever –witnessed in the state. Ordinarily, in most states in Nigeria, an incumbent, who has modestly performed in his role as a governor, by providing the basic needs of his people, would usually be reelected. The discontentment toward Captain Wada’s performance naturally led to craving for Prince Audu’s return to salvage the situation. Audu Abubakar’s potential victory, before the inconclusive verdict by the INEC, could be seen as dire dissatisfaction with Wada’s ineptitude.
The accidental emergence of Yahaya Bello (alias Fair-Plus) as the interim governor of the state, pending the result of the various cases in court, is tantamount to added drag hindering the economic and social progress of the confluence state.
One thing is certain in Fair-Plus’s ascendance to the podium: the Igala, the dominant tribe in the state, has mismanaged endowed opportunities. The sound minds of Kogi, and even among the Igala have never been allowed to mount the stage to deliver the necessary ingredients that would have fostered development. Instead, mediocre, elevated by political “godfathers”, have always been imposed into advantage position to win elections.
The by-product of such leverage is backwardness of the people. When Jibrin Echocho, the obvious successor to Ibro was jettisoned and replaced with Wada, I was never in doubt that the state’s misfortune would slide further. Ibro’s flimsy reason for expunging Echocho from his mandate was that of fear of repulsive allegiance to cover his financial recklessness. Wada, his friend of many years would suffice. To a very large extent, the captain kept his part of the bargain to the disadvantage of stakeholders in the state.
Yahaya Bello, the acting governor (until substantive judgement is rendered), has begun with glaring failures. He is out of tune with the state house of assembly; he has unimpressive attention to the plight of the civil servants who are being owed five months salaries and wages; and his idolatry belief that led to the destruction of most of the traffic roundabouts in Lokoja is an indication of shortsightedness. A leader who believes in God should start his administration’s journey with zero or negative reference to paranormal events. An active mind in paranormal activities is a precursor to failure in every facet of life- leadership or followership.
It is completely irrational to most of us with no inclination to witchcraft and other imaginary assumptions the governor’s sudden destruction of these landmarks for orderly traffic guides that residents of Lokoja, the state capital have, for years, been used to. If his Excellency’s decision is based on further improvement of the structures, a gradual renovation of each would have created little disquiet / uneasiness. But outright demolition of most of the historic artifacts in a stretch is completely deviant and abnormal.
While every state is suffering from economic downturn this time, Kogi state is worst hit because of successive, insensitive leadership. The glaring abject poverty has left Kogi people in a state of squalor. Civil service has become the only source of revenue for the people. There is no support from both the local and state governments to encourage commercial agriculture. Subsistence farming can only yield basic crops for household consumption. Wealth can hardly come out of this practice. With vast arable land, it is the absolute responsibility of the state government to encourage farmers to delve into cash crop production.
A friend of mine once said: Kogi should be downgraded to a local government area in the Federal Capital Territory because the state relies solely on subvention from the Federal government. Obajana Cement industry and Ajaokuta steel rolling mills, in any rational sense, should have been capable of providing staff salaries and wages if the state government was astute enough to collect taxes from these companies. Dangote Cement cannot keep exploiting Kogi’s clay as raw material for the cement without appropriate remunerations. I am not encouraging extortion of funds from Obajana, but fair-plus should know that it is only fair to get Aliko Dangote, the proprietor of the cement company, to pay the agreed dues. This will tremendously support economic growth and, improve welfare for the people.
Federal government on the other hand must be made to offset its commitment to the steel rolling mills. If Ajaokuta is active, revenue in the form of taxes from the rolling mills can increase the state’s IGR that will supplement the monthly allocations from Abuja.
Kogi state cannot exhaust all its resources on recurrent expenditure such as staff wages. There must be concerted effort to create wealth in agriculture, fishing and other endowed natural resources which are in quantum in the land.
Unfortunately, the majority of those who have ruled the state have been accidental leaders. Those who are willing and prepared to bring about positive change to the lives of the people have never been considered.
With so many educated, able, knowledgeable, and committed indigenes, only half-baked mediocre like Ibro beat everyone to the game. And the result is that Kogi is in constant reverse- gear.
It is an overwhelming desire of the Igala tribe to have one of their kinsmen on the throne because of population advantage. But after three attempts with visible failure, it is only fair to try someone from another tribe. I do not believe, for a second that Yahaya Bello, the current governor, has the wherewithal to successfully paddle the canoe ashore. He has made conspicuous mistakes from the beginning. His idea of fishing out ghost workers is laudable, but the exercise can be accomplished without sending top civil servants home.
The heated legal battle at the tribunal may usher in Captain Wada, but what will he do differently? He was in a position to have reshaped Kogi’s future: unlike his benefactor, Wada is highly educated, exposed and has the ability to serve both his master Ibro, and the people without mixing or depriving each party. His absolute loyalty should be to Kogi people, not a god-like Ibro, who overwhelmingly mismanaged the state.
Whoever wins at the tribunal, Kogi state’s misfortune will unabatedly continue.
Credit: Leadership
