Sometimes in 2003, when the PDP took over the realms of affairs in Kogi State some of us thought they had the magic touch to good governance. Little did we know.
They portrayed the late Prince Abubakar Audu as the problem of the state that needs to be disposed off. Using federal might, they fought Audu fiercely, rigged him out of public office, humiliated him by handcuffing him from Jos all the way to lokoja and frustrated him with useless court cases of fraud.
Although today Audu is no more physically, he lives in the minds of many and is largely remembered as the best governor Kogi State ever had. I remember his words in Lokoja when been pushed and hit by security agencies controlled by the PDP; “ weep not for me but for your children”.
I need not remind you of our ugly past; as I have no intentions to open up healing wounds. For the good twelve years that the PDP ruled Kogi State you and I know the story. I need not remind you.
The mystery of Kogi politics today is that this same people who brought Kogi State to a very low level today that is now further degenerated by the abysmal poor performances of the APC led government in the state are the ones asking us to change the change and burn the broom.
The question on the lips and the dilemma in the minds of many today in Kogi State is who will bail the cat? Is it the one who ruled for Eight years and plunged the state into serious debts that no successive government in the state have been able to liquidate? Or the one who ruled for four years and has no project to point to as an achievement of his administration? Even in Dekina where he hails from and his ancestral home in Odu is nothing to write home about let alone the state he governed?
There is he who was at a time the chairman of PDP in Nigeria but could not lobby or attract any meaningful federal project to the state. What a pity!
I am not surprised at the turn of political events in Kogi State today. The fear of a “white lion “ has turned some of these politicians into puppets. I witnessed firsthand in the Lokoja/Koto bye elections where the whole PDP machineries were caged like common pigeons. Indeed people will reap what they sow and be careful of what they teach their children for they may gain mastery of it.
Today a lot of politicians in the state who were once skimmed out of the power play by the then PDP administration are now finding their way back to the PDP they vowed never to return. Notable amongst them is a senator from the west who takes pleasure in releasing music albums. He was one of those at the forefront leading the assault on the then PDP administration during the 2015 elections. His vocal voice contributed largely to the fall of PDP in the state as I remember his “wada wada dey go” slogan but today he has released a new album titled “oh my home” with lyrics “when shall I see my PDP I will never forget my home”.
I need to ask at this point where is the trust? Where is the character? Don’t people have shame anymore?
It is only dogs I have seen go back to their vomit this I need say not particularly targeted at anyone.
Well, The rains of Politics are here again and the fear of many in Kogi today is that these same failed politicians who now moves from pillar to post looking for where it favors them most are the ones calling for a political revolution in the state.
Sometimes when the rain beats so fiercely even the umbrella loses its value as it can neither withstand the storm nor protect its holder from been soaked from the rain.
What Kogi needs today is a race to safety from those who seek to rule it not for the collective good of the people but for their personal interest as it is today just like their antecedents have showed.
Kogi needs a fresh and acceptable political party, competent and dedicated leaders to herald a New dawn for the state.
I enjoin you all to join the likes of Humprey Abah, Sani Philips Idakwo and the host of others on a fast ride on the horse of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to safety so as to preserve the sanctity and dignity of our dear state.
SDP is fresh, full of strength to conquer come 2019.
– Samuel Ogwu writes from Lokoja the Kogi State capital.
