When words started filtering out that Austin Okai has been arrested in Abuja by one of the security agencies, the first thought that crossed my mind evoked the tag of this post.
Over time, Mr. Austin Okai has become lots and conflicting phenomenon to different people and the latest reaction to his persistent criticism of the present administration in Kogi state is a confirmation that some people will never learn by doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results.
Kogites have witnessed the arrest of individuals since the inauguration of Gov. Yahaya Bello for reasons based on muscle flexing and display of power. The case of Hon. Cornelius Olowo readily comes to mind wherein the court threw out the charges and the complainants had their ego bruised. Mohammed Audu was equally brought before a court charged for armed robbery among other alleged crimes that the accusers have not gotten a conviction.
I am against any unlawful act but there is a threshold that ought not be crossed just for ego trip. Power, I maintain is transient and the use it is put to defines a leader.
No matter how intense the effort put into governance, some will still have divergent views in terms of actions and indiscretion when performance is being appraised. Irrespective of any attempt constitutional democracy can never become a totalitarian monarchy. Opposition is the moderating spice in any democracy and to wish otherwise is sheer waste of time and energy.
Every administration must be prepared to take criticism as part of the package that include the perks of office. The Governor once said critics will be silenced with performance and that is what Kogites expect not the hounding of critics no matter how virulent and mischievous they are perceived.
In the run up to the last governorship election in Kogi state, Ex- Governor Idris Wada was called several names and at a point his sanity was called to question but the heavens did not fall and to take a cue from him for such display of maturity and tolerance is imperative by those presently in power.
While it cannot be sincerely said that no good has come out of the present administration, proclaiming all is well will be pure fallacy. Democracy is all about hailing and wailing depending on which side of the political divide one is situated.
The issue of uncleared workers, cleared but unpaid workforce if not resolved timely will pale every other achievement of the present administration in Kogi state into insignificance because there is so much agony and trauma in the state. Rationalizing or trying to justify people’s pain will amount to sermonizing a hungry person which is nothing but sheer waste of time and resources.
Kogi state government is faced with a lot of challenges; inherited, induced and contrived that require concerted efforts to surmount. Placing premium on critics no matter how grating is akin to carrying an elephant and using the toes to search for ants.
The arrest of Mr. Austin Okai is making a hero out of the young man and the underdog and bullied will always attract people’s’ sympathy and support.
On a lighter note, I wish the zeal and vigour devoted to party membership registration and revalidation will be extended to issues affecting Kogites to make the NEW DIRECTION path smoother for the people.
Austin Okai is assumed innocent of any alleged crime until otherwise pronounced by a court of competent jurisdiction and due process must be followed in all that will be done in relations to his arrest devoid of impunity and despotic display of power.
May our leaders be gifted with the grace to do that which is just in the midst of the intoxicating influence of power.
– Olalekan Aiyenigba
