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I forbid a circumstance where at my age I will be confused about making a decision and be bold enough to stand by it. One of the interesting things I have learnt over time is to always learn to understand people’s opinion and as well give it maximum respect before making any judgement about it. My expression of support at one time or the other for the Yahaya Bello ‘s government in Kogi State was never at any point in time a mistake. And now that I have chosen to bring to the public my dismay and disappointment on same government is with utmost honesty and deep sense of regards to the value I have for my and as well as our collective growth and development as a people.
By the virtue of the roles and positions I held during my days in Kogi State University as a student leader, above any other reason, I found myself necessarily having one or two affiliations with persons in the present government of the day if I must admit. Every union of any nature exist first to protect the interest of her members, so meeting these persons and probably establishing relationship with them was just what I had to do as a stakeholder in the state. The interest was not particularly on any political party or individual.
Aside from being a student leader, I owe explanations to people out there who can not have access to information and as well authorities to pour out their grievances to. Whether I like it or not, I must give listening ear to these persons. I have relatives, friends and neighbors who are victims of the unintelligent policy or decision making of this government.
It was dawn on me to make sure I relate these complaints to persons who by circumstances I have an existing relationship with. In fact someone told me to put aside what ever we share together that serves as a commitment to our relationship and withdraw my respect for him if by the end of December, 2017 all arrears of salary are not cleared.
Obviously, this wasn’t enough to calm my nerves. I know for sure that there are ways all of the screening exercise and labour related matters carried out by this government could still be done intelligently without subjecting people to hardship, I was in doubt if the promise of clearing salary arrears was feasible.
Considering not only the failure to fulfill this promise but the lies and blackmails against the people of Kogi State by the governor himself, I will only be a fool for standing and drumming support for same government. My silence and expression for the government at one time or the other was never miscalculation but an act based on circumstances of giving a test of time to see how far we could go.
Now, on a general note, by birth I am an Ebira born fellow from Okengwen, the largest and oldest settlement in Ebira Land. Yahaya Bello being my kinsman is enough of a reason to be bold enough to distance myself from his obvious wrong driven government. There is nothing I stand to gain if an Ebira man is at the helm of affairs that I cannot get if anyone else occupies same position. This should be noted. I have peers that I am growing up with, if not for anything, for my sake they have reservations to what they think of the Ebira people.
A government of deceit, a government killing the same youths they claim to be empowering, a government turning young boys into social media nuisance allowing them to mess themselves up through cosmetic praise singing regrettably especially from the east, a government building strong individuals against institutions, a government that cannot or do not prioritize payment of salary but yet mock their subjects with substandard clothing and food items, is never a government to reckon with.
How many projects has been started and completed by this government? It is a thing of shame that the diagnostic centre project started by the Wada administration which was at 90% completion is what the Yahaya Bello government is rushing to complete to cover up its shame during the celebration of two years in office coming up in few weeks time.
I am not concerned about who wins or who do not in the forthcoming 2019 general elections, my concern is the pain our people has been subjected to. It is a thing of shame that in Kogi State political appointees waits to get information from public domain. A government led by few but yet wants the support of all.
I challenge Yahaya Bello to engage himself in public debate with the people of Kogi State.
While I continually sympathise with all of us on the collective grieve caused on us by the products of our desperate quest for a change of hands in party and leadership, I wish to re-emphasis on my dream for a better Kogi State.
For those who knows the truth but have chosen to shy away from it, you must all remember that you are coming back to meet your people no matter how long the government last.
As for me, there is hunger in the land but in standing with my people I eat the little I can and go to bed with free conscience than eating from the kick backs of the wealth of thousands of persons who are denied of their entitlements because, a life of the hereafter is real and the voice of the people remains the voice of God.
May God help us!!!
– Abdulmalik DanKogi Hadi
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