Your Excellency, please permit me to make this an open letter.
I have to state clearly that I cast my vote for APC during the 2015 general election because I totally believed in Audu/Faleke to bring the needed change to Kogi State but because, just like other people, I didn’t want the previous administration to remain in power (the decision I don’t regret till this day) because the administration is believed to be non-performing. Prince Abubakar Audu was coasting home to victory and death tolled for him soon. Also, looking at Governor Ambode of Lagos State and you being elected on the same party platform (APC), I was hopeful you will borrow ideas from him on how he transformed Lagos State.
Looking at the scenario then, as somebody who wants a change in Kogi State, I encouraged some people to also cast their votes for APC after the death of Audu but I wish to say that I am disappointed by some of your administration’s policies so far.
It is indeed shameful that those like me who supported APC so vociferously have become butts of jokes everywhere we go. Sir, I plead with you to ignore your acolytes who may be telling you that all is well in Kogi state.
Your Excellency, it has become very difficult, if not impossible to defend the excessive shortcomings of your government. Please, permit my oxymoron Sir. We definitely want you to succeed but it seems some demons are desperately determined to make you fail by all means.
Those asking you to go beyond 2019 are mere sycophants. Sir, a lot of permutations has changed. You need to ponder a lot about your popularity rating and not to be carried away with how people are paid to line on the streets when you are on a visit to some communities in Kogi state. It is pure conceived by your praise singers to show you that the people are with you . I really do not know what they hope to tell and sell to the electorate this time, particularly after the colossal failure of the last three years.
Sir, I’m pleading with you in the name of God, the Merciful, that you don’t need two terms or eight years in power, to prove your greatness. Nelson Mandela spent only one term in power and retired to superlative glory as the world’s most respected and revered and idolised statesman. Robert Mugabe spent about four decades in power, yet he returned home in total infamy and unenviable disgrace. It is a lesson of life that we must all learn, sooner rather than later, that man shall not live by power alone. I know my preaching is not likely to touch you and your hardened supporters but, at the very least, I want it to be on record that I spoke publicly, out of genuine love and concern, while you were being goaded on by those who stand to gain more if you win a re-election next year. For most of those asking you to continue, by fire and by force, it is always about their personal agenda and survival.
This year promises to be an interesting one. You will soon discover how treacherous human beings can be when some of those hailing you today as the authentic messiah begin to show you their true colours.
My appeal to you is to urgently do a self-assessment to determine and decide on whether you are what Kogi state needs at this time.
Finally, before I draw the curtain, I wish to seek clarification on some other related issues:
Why has your administration refused to conduct local governments’ elections?
How many teachers have you been able to recruit within the last 3 years of your administration?
In conclusion, some of the questions that will be going through Your Excellency’s minds are why did I write this ? And what do I want ? I personally believe we have to grow beyond sentiments about those that govern us if we really want to move in the right direction; I think your administration has performed below what is expected of you. Since your administration has refuse to conduct local government elections, you have both the state and local government resources at your disposal, yet we didn’t experience massive development.
– Alfa Tijani is a Kogi citizen and an advocate of good governance.
Email: hon.tijanialfa@gmail.com
