After the creation of Kogi state a lot of political atrocities, marginalization and what I call “deliberate reproach” has been lavished on the Bassa People.
It is not just in the Yahaya Bello led government, but right from late Prince Abubakar Audu’s era, the Bassa situation has always been a the sad story.
This tribe and people are not only neglected in the politics of the state, but are equally denied of common basic amenities.
And then one begin to ask why this people who I presume are the third or fourth minority in the state ignored for this long.
I could still remember how the Bassa People were left to provide for themselves during the Kogi flood. I can still remember how Audu’s government literally denied them of political appointments.
And under the Yahaya Bello led government, this same people have been completely abandoned, the few appointees there are no where to be found.
The level of insecurity is unspeakable, killings have continued there, destruction of properties have been consistent, communal crisis and massacre has been reoccurring, but yet it is not in the news, yet it is not making headlines, yet no public briefing nor support from the government.
Letters have been written, complaints have been made and yet the Bassa situation has remained in the shadows.
With their poverty level becoming more pandemic, with their lack of basic amenities getting worse to the extend that pupils have been learning under trees for decades now.
And gradually the Bassa People have become a people totally neglected in Kogi state and force to endure perpetual hardship and unnecessary suffering.
And some of us who are democrats, some of us who strongly believe in equity, fair play and true leadership. Some of us who frown at nepotism and heavily believes it is the most dreaded disease any government can be diagnosed of, are beginning to ask questions, we are beginning to ask, When Shall Bassa be Remembered?
We are beginning to ask if those who are representing the people of Bassa in the Kogi State House of Assembly are fully aware of the unspeakable conditions of the people.
We are beginning to ask if those who are representing Dekina – Bassa at the federal level are aware that Bassa is also a part of their constituency.
We are beginning to ask why Bassa is always remembered when votes are needed, but forgotten when amenities are distributed.
We are beginning to ask why Bassa is always remembered when the unity of Kogi is preached and forgotten when it is practice.
We are beginning to ask why Fulani man will kill one in Okene and it will make headlines and houses will be burnt on the border of Bassa communities and it won’t make headlines.
We are beginning to ask why road contracts will be awarded in Kogi East, Kogi West, Kogi Central and yet none will be awarded in Bassa.
We are beginning to ask why politicians only visit Bassa during elections and cease to go that way when they win elections.
We are beginning to ask if Kogi state belongs to the Igàla’s, the Ebiras and the Okuns alone.
We are beginning ask the fate of a third minority in Kogi state.
And most importantly, we are beginning to ask what are the sincere intentions of the Yayaha Bello led government towards the Bassa People.
Good bless Bassa People.
– Jacob Unekwu Agada
Author, EBULÉJONU.
Oshogbo, Nigeria.
