As we approach November 2019 gubernatorial election in Kogi state, the horde of aspirants, from all the existing political parties, keep surging forward.
Also, self imposed political analysts have also started inundating us with tales about the qualities of aspirants they feel we should vote for, more often than not, for personal aggrandizement.
In essence, there is need for vital information, enlightenment, analysis and engagement, devoid of ethno-religious and political sentiment, emotion and prejudice, in the choice of our governor , for the survival of our present/future generations and Kogi, as a political entity.
The next Governor should, therefore, be:
A Kogite that has the capacity and capability to drive both our economy and politics. Politics and economy move the world, hence, the need to raise the standard of living, purchasing power, youth employment rate and eradication of poverty, in the midst of plenty.
A well versed master strategist in politics would therefore, be able to engineer all other centrifugal facets within the ambit of democratic norms.
A business conscious Governor that can harness both human and material resources for optimal performance, coupled with sound entrepreneurial experience to be able to utilise a hundred Naira, on an business venture that would ultimately yield thousands of Naira and thousands yielding millions, billions and trillions of Naira, in a public/private sector driven economy, for overall developmental goals, the above, therefore, go hand in hand with a Governor that has exhibited, in his private business life undertakings, the capability of being an employer of labour, especially among the teeming populace of youths, with advanced technology.
A detribalised Kogite whose socioeconomic, political network, background and connections, cut across the various ethno-religious–divide-components called Confluence state.
A young or an old Governor? A lot of people have variously canvassed for youth leadership at every level. But, as you can see is Kogi’s problem a matter of dichotomy between the younger and older ones or male and female gender base? The answer seems to be capital No! we all knew how some youths are misusing the opportunity already.
A Kogite who is very much passionate about our always asking questions.
Frankly speaking, there is a need for us to dwell practical in the choice of our next Governor to at least try to catch up with the rest of the States beginning with our neighboring states that have gone far ahead of us because they did not allow primordial sentiments to determine their choice of leadership. They go for quality, and quality they get in governance.
In the fast paced world we live in today, what we need is a Governor who can create solutions, who can, literally, squeeze water out of stone.
Kogi needs a Governor who can take responsibility for governance one who believes the buck stops on his table.
It is not just about saying I can do it. Anyone, including an idiot, can claim he or she can do it. But it is about established record of performance, or what is called pedigree.
This is a very serious matter because almost 4.3 million Kogites will be such a huge burden on nature if, this time around, we fail to get it right.
We simply shall not, and cannot continue to see our people perishing by leaders we inked our fingers and voted for.
Kogi deserves a Governor who will make Kogi attractive for all its citizens to see the need to remain here and develop it.
We need a Governor who will not seek for relevance but will rather earn relevance via his achievements.
We need a Governor who will listen to constructive criticism and transform it into a workable ideal for his citizens.
Kogi needs a Governor who will create a barricade against sychophancy.
We need a Governor who will promptly pay civil servants their salary.
We need a Governor who is very prepared for governance.
We need a Governor who will see governance as sacrifice.
Kogi needs a Governor who will be an honest public servant ,of a type that won’t want to become rich in politics. But, will rather want to attain greatness and satisfaction by service.
A short video I watched on the Internet described the biggest problems needing global solution as energy, water, food, environment, poverty, terrorism and war, education, democracy and population. To solve these problems, we need a Governor who, as i said earlier, can literally squeeze water out of stone.
In order to move Kogi forward, there is need to remove the impediment, often posed by the Ethno-religious sentimental nature of Kogi that often prevents the emergence of the right leaders, in a dysfunctional system.
It is however, a very disheartening experience over the years, our electorate are often clouded by ethno-religious and political prejudice, emotion, sentiment, ignorance, misinformation and lack of information, in their voting behavioural patterns, instead of engaging their would-be aspirants on intellectual plane of discussion, in order to know what the politicians have brought to the table for societal improvement and betterment of the people. Our society seems not to be knowledge driven and issue based on matters of societal interest. Hence, the trial and error, complaints, lamentations and dilemma always, after each miscalculated/misguided electoral decision/choice, galvanised to an average Politician, whose personal interests have always been the overall guiding principle. Heaven really helps those who help themselves. The choice is definitely yours/mine/ours.
Let’s collectively make the difference this time around, please.
Thank you all and do have a Christ-imbibe Easter.
– Habib Omachile Rabbiu.
