The manner in which Kogi East’s political hemisphere conscripts in ‘do or die’ affairs is baffling, with comity of godfathers controlling the trigger of power arms.
It is also disheartening, that elections into various political offices are been influenced to the advantage of few individuals who consider themselves as lords and barons of the land. They are the recycled politician that decides ‘who gets what’ in Kogi East. Not for the overwhelming general welfare, but for their poxy interest.
Moreover, the fraternity of these ‘Babas’ is so sophisticated that an aspirant who is neither loyal nor adopted politically is not eligible for office of governance.
The younger generation of aspirants with proven integrity and moral standings are the major victim of this evil machinations. They are either tagged inexperienced or too naive to the current political weather. But the reality behind such denial is their refusal to succumb to concocted evil plans of perpetual crime against humanity.
The perpetrators are those my conscience can never ceased to describe as smooth propagandist, pretender to transparency, extraordinary liars, agents of falsehood, mischief and political malpractice. Their progressive ideology is predatory in disguise and their emphasis on good governance is kleptocracy. Those they referred as progressive minds and have relentlessly rooted for are the sycophants, money-changers, buccaneers and heretics of good governance whose core values is primitive acquisition of wealth. Their antecedent is riddled with character flaws pervasiveness and amorality.
I have lost count of erudite young leaders whose ambition is typical of societal modernization but could not resonate beyond checkpoint due to inordinate political calculations of these elders. They are numerous and are still counting.
Prominently, Dr Stephen Oma’Akoji Achema (of blessed memory) was a nonpareil whose struggles and ideology laid empathy on common plight but was shut off the limelight over selfish interest.
Recall that Achema until death was on a mission of actualizing Igalas’ dream of producing the governor of the state on the platform of a party he co-formed during the transition to democracy in 1999- The People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Now, the game plan was to first install an Igala as the state chairman of the party. The chairman will in turn ensure that his kin become the flag bearer of the party in the governorship election. However, this plan met its treachery as Achema’s kinsmen went into unholy alliance with the Okuns to undo Igalas. And like the tale of old major in George Orwell’s Animal farm, Dr Achema never lived to see these dreams come true.
Although Dr. Achema was successful using both the down trodden and the trivial-many in the society (low and mighty), the political elders did not identify with his course because he was not in the comprador class of political bourgeoisie. He was considered too radical perhaps, his struggles for human emancipation was regarded as threat to their political existence. What an inhuman ways of reasoning!
Achema, unlike his rivals has no business with wealth accumulation. He lived a modest lifestyle and was a man after the people’s heart. In fact, to a common man, Dr. Achema was a problem solver.
It is also in the diary that the conscription of Achema’s name for titular honor was not borne out of his radicalism. As a matter of reality, he decisively turned down the offer conferred on him alongside one of this century’s cabals (name withheld) by the then Atta of Igala- HRH Dr. Aliyu Obaje in 1976. Yet, he displayed unequaled patriotism in sustaining the dignity of the throne via a masterminded sit at home protest by Igalas when Attah was placed under house arrest by the military administrator of Benue, Mr sheleng in 1976.
Still on his achievement as activist and politician, the famous socio cultural association – ICDA that is now hijacked by political godfathers was formed by Dr. Achema together with the late John Urah. It is wholly for promoting the cultural heritage and political integrity of Igala ethnicity. Achema has an inimitable political machinery that cut across the state. He also maintained a dynamic and intermediary political structure as part of his plans for a better future. Now, can the current leadership of ICDA please tell us if the structure still conforms with the founder’s blueprint?
For posterity sake, Dr. Achema was also the only politician who worked against his own party to ensure that an Igala man in another party wins the famous 1998 governorship tussle in the state. Unfortunately, Achema’s political vacuum remained unfilled till the present day. May his soul continue to rest in peace (AMEN).
Back to central thrust of these piece, I know for sure that declaring Achema’s political vacuum unfilled raise questions like; are there no politically willful youths emerging after Achema’s demise? Or the godfathers had made political realms so brazen that silence is appositely the alternative? Well, let me concur that your perceptions blend with the subject matter. In fact, call it godfather, cabal, political Babas etc. You are right, but the gospel truth is that, godfatherism and loyalism politics in Kogi East embellishes as norm sacrosanct to a political survival of an aspirant.
You either abide by the rules or end up as a victim of unholy alliance. And what are these rules if you ask me? Its simply the godfather’s desiderate a political office holder must carry out in order to sustain his position.
To these effect, some aspirants no longer deem it fit to convince electorates with mantras anymore. And these godfathers obviously have no stint business to checkmate his interest in conformity with general aspirations.
Imagine a legislative aspirant asking us to re-elect him because of his ranking status. What is he been ranked for? Or of what importance is position to the lingering socioeconomic and political crisis in Kogi East? The last time I checked, there are several senators with longer service years and track record of achievements both in their constituencies and at National level. So, I wonder how this lawmaker who could not provide a mere portable water for his own community or sponsor a bill that reflects national core issues maneuver his way to the post of senate president. Or could that slogan means he is fighting for his pocket? Fellow Kogi Easterners, this calls for thorough investigation before our hard earned democracy gets murdered in broad day light.
Another deceit in this pedigree is that of an aspirant on ‘vengeance mission’. In fact this aspirant is supposedly a true statesman who should be called upon when the needs for men of conscience arises. But desperation has practically reduce him to a mere errand boy. He now shuttles between his bedroom and sites where politically intrigued projects are on going.
Now the former been an incumbent is at it with these elders. First, the SDG items which he hoard for some months before distributing it to some selected individuals. At a point, about 18 party executives (2 each) from the Nine LG were induced with N2 million Naira per head at his country home to ensure he wins the primaries. Months later, another group of party elders were consigned to Abuja where they had to pledge allegiance before been handed over Toyota Camry each. I will not forget the movement of cash that foresaw the reconciliation of some aggrieved party members.
This among others is the lunatic activities plunging Kogi East to abyss. Now let me ask my discerning readers, if an aspirant could spend as much as N36 million just to win a primaries of less than a thousand executives, don’t you think he will give himself as collateral to buy the expected over three million votes? But unfortunately, Kogi Easterners’ conscience is priceless. Just as a grass root popular aspirant emphasized, “whoever gives you money to buy your vote does not worth your vote.” No amount of inducement will devour justice this time.
The sham October 2nd PDP senatorial primaries in Idah is no doubt a prove of loyalty and semblance of their plans ahead of 2019 general elections. Every right thinking Kogites knows that such is not unusual of the accomplice as history has it that he has never won election that are free and fair in Kogi East. But through judicial ‘abrakadabra’
Fellow Kogi Easterners, a society cannot be truly democratic until its citizens have the opportunity to choose their representative through elections that are free and fair.
This is a clarion call to the virtuous and good conscience people of Kogi East, we must come together and save Igala/Bassa from the messianic grip of power by godfathers. We must detest enthronement of sycophant and clueless loyalist. The already evident contradictions and hypocrisies of these progressives must stop. We must ensure that those lending credibility to the sham RANKING STATUS and VENGEANCE must be made to conform to democratic standard of elections.
I have said this repeatedly for all who have ears that whoever must represent us at the red chamber must possess untainted social history. His political activities must shun godfatherism or the recycled politics. He/she must be grass root oriented, with mantra devoid of the usual copy and paste campaign mantra.
To this extend, I hereby call for an open debate between the three major senatorial aspirants namely; Dr Victor Alewo Adoji, Alhaji Jibril Isah (Echocho) and senator Attai Aidoko Ali Usman. The media has done enough, let us hear from the horses’ mouth. They must prove their political worth and capacity which we will examine if it conforms with collective aspiration. Remember, there must be a Kogi East we will return to at the end of political tussles. I am for better Kogi East. Join me if you are, to ensure there is a live debate between these aspirants and at the end we will be able to vote for the right candidate.
I urge all comrades, social media campaigners, activists and political analysts to join me in these call to ensure that we get to ask these aspirants some questions before its too late. By so doing, we will have a political office holder that is loyal to the masses and the godfathers.
I stand for justice, equity and fairness for all.
God bless Kogi East.
– John Paul
Operation Win Back Kogi State
07064258752
