The curious two months long annual leave embarked upon by Kogi State Deputy Governor, Elder Simon Achuba will end tomorrow, Saturday, January 26. His purported letter requesting for annual leave stated that Elder Achuba proceeded on two months annual leave beginning from November 26, 2018, which would end on January 26, 2019.
The deputy governor’s “long annual leave” came at a time when rumours of alleged existence of a frosty relationship between him and Gov. Yahaya Bello was rife.
Achuba, who is said to have been allegedly sidelined in the scheme of things in the state for some time, has maintained curious silence on the matter.
With his official resumption set for next Monday, there is no hiding place for Achuba again. His options are few and requires serious tact and introspection. Without doubt, he is no longer in the good books of Governor Bello and his kitchen cabinet. He is viewed as a traitor who can no longer be trusted.
First option before the estranged Deputy Governor is to call on elders to help reconcile him with his boss. This looks like the easiest route Achuba can follow as he resumes.
Second option is to resign his position and move on. Close observers are of the view that it will be more honourable for Achuba to resign from the unpopular Yahaya Bello-led government. He won’t be the first to resign from this government and won’t be the last. The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Bello, Petra Akinti and the Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Odaudu Joel Minister (OJM) have opened the flood gate for official resignation. The duo have maintained enviable social standing after leaving the New Direction government. If chooses to stay put in office without genuine reconciliation, he will remain irrelevant, his salaries and allowances will remain unpaid, light and water supply to his office and official residence will remain disconnected.
The third option before Achuba is to decamp to opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as widely speculated and fight from within. This looks more like the route he might follow. This option is dicey as the outcome will be largely determined by who wins February 16 presidential election. If Atiku wins, he will be strengthened to fight from within with renewed vigor. If Buhari wins, he will be humiliated out of office, even if crude means have to be employed.
The last option is not for Achuba to decide. If he fails to reconcile and decides to remain in office, the government forces will roll out its full arsenal to impeach him. He will be bullied out of office, by hook or by crook.
The options are open and Kogites are watching the unfolding scenario with keen interest as Achuba resumes work after a two month long annual leave.
– Adamu Ojonugwa writes from Lokoja.
