Just when one thought this government has reached the zenith of its failings, and our progressive enterprise is confined in the abyss of time, the white lion and his gangs re-surge, eliminating morality with extended tragic follies.
For once, we let up, because every admonitions fell on deaf ears; the new direction offspring is so bereft of ideas, not so ready to accept any. Instead, everything that constricts democracy and its agenda is their stock of tirade.
As things stood, everyone except me is an onlooker; either a coward or a traitor. That is what it seems. But not really, we have temporarily accepted our fate, knowing for sure that history can’t be repeated. Nigerians are much wiser, so are Kogites.
In short, the nationwide police brutality protest was so vehement with the men in agbada. That though, public offices are not inaccessible to everyone, it is no longer business as usual. This is a generation that says ‘enough is enough’.
For Governor Yahaya Bello and his Lugard house descendants, it is a new normal submersed in unmitigated laxity. We were never going to be serious about them. Why? They have lost direction and focus.
As speculated in the media, road is being tarred across every length and breadth of the state, Health and social welfare is sound, security architecture is reliable as Kogi is haughtily free of crimes such as killings, kidnapping and robbery, and my almighty governor would not hesitate to spew how excited Kogites are with his government on National TV. But in reality, it is a taste of bitterness, a horror from gory figures in a murder, and above all, a suffering and smiling. The state and all it represents is as good as deserted land- nothing is happening.
Let me once again emphasize, Bello remains a transaction we would never be part of. And as an advocate of Democracy and good governance, he remained a misplaced priority. How did I know? In the course of my career as journalist, I was told that a story is not a story unless it is accurate. But in Kogi state, there is evidently no travelable road anywhere excepted in the media; the exact lies Nigerians including commercial outlets like mock-news pararan have accepted about Kogi state. And our attempts to refute these lies often result in the lethal social media regulation. This is how Nigeria government punishes her citizens for a crime it is very much culpable of – real architect of fake reports and malicious contents.
On October 5th 2020 (world teachers day), Buhari’s government extended a hand of felicitation to our academic facilitators. And like a thoroughly scorned and petted child, it was the long expected breaths of a new dawn stemmed in proclivity of sound remunerations and automatic employment for graduating education students.
Governor Yahaya Bello also threw his heart in the row when he said “Teachers are the fathers of all professions”. And collectively, it was indeed very memorable for our teachers. Those watching from the fence could visualize an ‘echo’ based on yearnings and aspirations.
Well, I was thrilled, Yahaya Bello did not lie stating the true position of our teachers. But then, I could not hold back my tears when my conscience was tripped to the memory lane. How can I tell, of the untold hardships brought upon these selfless fellows (Teachers) by the white lion’s administration, or how do we describe the incredible trauma, emotional blackmailing they suffered during the civil servants screening exercise; the neck breaking wreck of havoc which beclouded our citadels of learning? Kogi state university Anyigba was relieved of 25 professors, the state polytechnics exited its rector, 18 chief lecturers as well as 27 non-teaching staff. Provost of all Colleges of Educations Kabba and Ankpa, that of schools of nursing- Obangede and Idah all lost their jobs. This is the story; those who were shown the exit doors left beckoning manna while those that were not affected were abandoned – salaries were not paid for months. Consequently, several teachers and other civil servants opted for suicides over inability to confront basic needs and Kogi state became an internally displaced zone where the then 8th assembly lawmakers embarked on charity courtesy of distinguished Senator Dino Melaye.
Anyway, with the extant scars of the seemingly sacrosanctial but politically motivated screening, I state without equivocation that Mr Melaye exhibited the spirit of a true compatriot, being able to motivate his colleagues into alleviating hunger among Kogites. But then, we had a governor who was so bold on National TV about being committed to teacher’s welfare. He said and I quote; “we ever remain committed to improving on the welfare and well-being of this category of workers to enable them give in their best”- a distorted imaginations best-fitting a predator on its preys.
Teachers are not faring well at the moment, not with the said 20% annual state budget to be allocated on Education. Anyway, they can continually treat us like a joke, certainly, we will leave them like it is funny.
Let me say this to whoever cares, few people dominates Yahaya Bello’s government; rapists and lurid-melo-dramatis. The rapists comprises of the opportunists who hacked their way into his government. They can rape anyone in broad daylight and get away with it. It doesn’t matter the supremacy of the law of the land or what the Aso Rock thinks, emperor Yahaya Bello’s wing is a reliable shelter.
Eight months down the line, Ms. Elizabeth Oyeniyi is yet to get justice for been mass raped and tortured by the state commissioner for water resources, Abdulmumuni Danga. Recall that, Danga vented anger on the renowned 2019 Miss Funfair Nigeria for simply using her Facebook page to ask Danga to help his step sister. That was all, she was kidnapped and stripped naked before Danga’s 15-man gang who watched and filmed her nudity. And in sluggish response to various demands for justice for this young lady, Danga was invited by the police and arraigned on seven count charges, case close.
Commissioner Danga still sits comfortably within the confines of his office during the day and probably shuttles between hotels at night with concubines. Well, I guess my no-nonsense governor will act base on judicial perspicacity over the matter. And as it is accustomed, a criminal with a sound lawyer gets justice in Nigeria. So if Danga wins, that settles it. Miss Elizabeth can manage her stigma somewhere while Danga hacks his way further to higher political offices.
Meanwhile, you may be wondering why I mentioned this, fellow Kogities, the succor we need as a society is simple; “Ability to call a spade a spade”. Until this happens, we retrogress further. If GYB was proactive to his words, Danga should have left his office long ago. Such fellow does not befit the true character of a harmonious Kogi. But on the contrary, dare to speak and have your name spelt on social media by the lurid-melo-dramatis.
In the same vein, it is exactly one year since PDP women leader, Mrs. Salome Abu was burnt alive. And despite calls from different quarters, justice is yet to be served. A young lad, Mr. Daniel Usman, a 400 level undergraduate who was also murdered during the presidential/National assembly election in 2019 is yet to get justice. Worst still, killing, kidnapping and robbery had taken helms in Anyigba and other parts of the state. Yet, some elements still blusters about a secured state. Anyway, nothing less is expected since the Emperor has delegated his duties and relocated to Abuja. As a matter of fact he is no longer aware of happenings in his duty post. Consequently, needless policies litters everywhere and his ever-ready brigands and ruffians from accursed ancestry would defend it with their blood.
I fainted when the news broke out that the state government had levied each loaf of bread. It was so heartbreaking and glaring considering the fact that businesses across the country scrambles for survival due to stagnating economy as a result of the covid-19 pandemic, small businesses not exempted.
As expected, the state commissioner for information, Kingsley Fanwo swung in defense with utmost alacrity. He was so stern like someone struggling for breathe. In short, it was a self-styled deluxe gushing hilariously as everyone watched in utter disbelief; a ruse unintendedly poised in conjectures but too mean for a serious minded government. Worst still, it further validated my impression that the gangs had lost direction and focus when the governor through his deputy denied knowledge of such levy, and further tagged it as fake reports buttressing his readiness to put whoever’s found culpable behind bars.
Fellow Kogites, this is the true character of the government in power, very disintegrated. And for a life time, one cannot rely on them for a saner world. But then, we are being taken for a ride here. If not, how is the governor denying such an obvious facts? That he is no longer in the saddle? Okay, take for instance, a decision was reached, and a letter dated 9th of November 2020 from the ministry of commerce and industry was written, signed and sent to the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN), Kogi state branch informing them about the levies. A company, Musag Enterprises was also contracted to collect the revenues on behalf of the government, and two days on, my governor denied having knowledge of what he described as devilish act. Has he lost influence to such extent that his cabinet members now act without his ratification or they are fooling us as usual? We watch keenly to see who will be sanctioned if the government is sincere.
For those who still sees this government as messiahs, your dreams may thrive in the figment of imagination. Why? They have shifted from blame game to the archaic patterns which compelled us to clamour for power shift in 2015. As a matter of reality, it is already on record that this government would make the worst in Kogi’s history book as Yahaya Bello and his gangs continue to borrow with no recourse to obligations. Sane to say, Kogi’s debt profile rises in perpetuity from both ends.
Immediately after his coronation in 2016, the state government frittered millions on the renovation of government house in less than two weeks. The transactions which saw swift approval of the governor was carried out by the then permanent secretary to the government house, Rev. John Ilemona. We wrote against it citing the fact that a frivolous emperor had been imposed on Kogites but nothing was done. Barely four years down the line, contractors are blacklisting the state for inability to confront its debt obligations. Recall that a report published in Sahara Reporters on the 9th of November 2020 accused Yahaya Bello of refusing to pay a Lebanese contractor and Managing Director of Maj Global construction company limited, Michael Abboud the sum of N726 million part of the N1.4 billion contractual value for the renovation of government house which was awarded on February 3rd 2016.
But here is the headline; Kogi before Bello was in debt mess. Kogi under Bello got messier. Yet, billions of Naira rolls in (some allegedly for contracts) almost daily to the point that the state government was given a special window of five million dollars (loan) by world-bank over what it termed as “being able to complete 90% of its projects”. Now, the big question is; where are those projects carried out? One might also be tempted to ask further; where are the monies borrowed, and what prompted the world-bank into giving more loans to the government?
For those in the saddle, I seek answers from their conscience. But for those supporting anything Yahaya Bello, a trip to Kogi state would do justice. Let us call a spade a spade, Kogi is being defrauded for too long, both government and individuals found culpable. Unfortunately, the messianic grip of the affluence is ever supreme over attempts to repel the compendium of injustices going on in the land.
Who would ever believe that Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote has been enriching himself from the coal revenue of my poor Kogi state? How about the abandoned Lokoja-Okene-Ajaokuta-Itobe road which was made messy by his heavy duty trucks. I challenge anyone with details of returns Dangote or whoever has being extracting coals from our state has made into the treasury to publish it. Even the host community cannot boast of a single social amenity let alone other capital infrastructures. However, it is long established that some unscrupulous individuals in cahoots with powers that be have being enjoying the revenue to the detriment of the overwhelming populace. Hence, every form of protest is always repelled with death threat.
Fellow Kogites, a game is currently on. Our emperor maybe towed into the presidential race come 2023 by sycophants and political jobbers. Reasons not far fetched; sycophants wants the continuity of crumbs while political jobbers are seeking smooth ride to Lugard House in 2023.
Amazing! But something sacred has been trashed. That is a new Nigeria with an emerging dispensation. A dispensation whose norms and values blend with cravings for global rejuvenation. A dispensation so starved and thirsty for a beautiful society. Regardless of where and how they are born, each acts and stay true to a life of opulence.
Would the likes of Yahaya Bello fits into this dispensation? The government under which he is ruling Kogi state has misunderstood the said dispensation. To say the least, they messed up with the wrong people who exploded because their future have been hacked. Anyway, antecedent might speak volume. Hence, does Yahaya Bello have the wherewithal? As my Igala forks would sound; Afu ki gbo kika nw’omi (the storm which heard the message should relay it to the rain), I rest my case.
So, the brandishing paraphernalia such as tackling insecurity, being sincere with covid-19 outbreak, unifying the state and commandeering a youth inclusive government do not conform with proficiencies of drivers of a new Nigeria. Needless to say, the youths in government are predominantly of piece-meal slicks. Kogi is not safe at the moment as kidnappers, killers and ritualists are still on rampage. Economic rejuvenation beckons on divine intervention and salient voices have being silenced- either compromised or knocked out.
Is this whom some forks want to be president? What an illusion! Anyway, Jacob Bronowski was right when he stated that “No science is immune to the infection of politics and the corruption of power”. I will live to see how far it would go.
Meanwhile, this is the story behind what emperor Yahaya Bello chants as achievement on National TV. And I will conclude by saying, our enemies are not far from us, even though they have traveled far without the truth in the mind of the generality. Thereby immortalizing the words of Oscar Wilde; “Truth is rarely pure and never simple”.
God bless Kogi state.
– John Paul
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