It is disheartening, corruption is the new normal. While those who benefit from the proceed don’t see it as one, a large contemporary chunk of the society is programmed as defense mechanism. You are allowed to steal as much as you can. Just fritter little sum on some profiled individuals who will later immune you against justice. It is not atypical of the moronic rebuff purportedly sponsored by some induced profiled citizens in Kogi Central against Senator Natasha Akpoti’s clarion call for proper investigation into financial dealings of the moribund Ajaokuta steel company as well as the Itakpe Iron-ore.
Recall that Senator Akpoti, lawmaker representing Kogi central senatorial district, recently moved a motion urging the senate to lunch investigation into alleged corruption such as $496 million paid to Ajaokuta steel contractor— Global Infrastructure Holding Limited (GINL) by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2022.
This call, however, timely bit the testicles of some indentured servants of political merchandizers in Kogi central. Perhaps in conformity with their contractual terms, they callously frowned at Akpoti’s patriotic efforts demonstrating the backslapping of statesman they are not, and would never be in cheer contravention of the mood of Kogites when the motion was moved.
In cahoots; the Ohi of Adavi (Mohammed Bello), the Ohi of Eganyi (Musa Isah Achuja), the Ohi of Ihima (Ahmed Abdulraheem), the Ohi of Eika (Umar Opewu), and the Ohi of Okene (Isah Mamman) jointly petitioned the senate against the motion describing it as unwarranted public outcry. The five monarch-gangsters accused Natasha of acting in isolation and without the inputs of critical stakeholders within the senatorial district.
As if the steel and the Iron ore complexes belong to the central alone, they palatably exhibits the rhythm of induced voice acting like fellows from another planet. They confidently held aloof to public cry as well as Akpoti’s redemption message. From the petition, the obvious was stated. Even a toddler could discern unclasped influence behind their voice and it validate suspicion of their inclusion in the decades of corrupt scandals against the complex by powers that be.
Little wonder, the sacredness of the throne and the sanctity of royalty is bent, and it tells the tale of a king who jettisoned the kingdom and the ordeal his helpless subjects. It is an inclination of the third world compatriots flourishing with crumbs of compassion; a tirade at best from fifth columnists, and a show of shame ignited by political profiteers. The petition neither represent the character of true statesman nor augur well for the custodian of ancestral seal. It is in defiance of truth, honesty and values typical of royal stead. The monarchs did not act in favour of the people but for few elite individuals the investigation may probably unravel, themselves inclusive.
I have said this before and I will say it again, a generation of happy slaves rapidly grows in Kogi state. Those who take inactions of government for it and deem questionable intent uncalled for. At election circle, they are willing accomplices, surrogates of gamblers and defense mechanism for everything defenseless. To them, been saddled to steal is a heavenly mandate, and those who have stolen enough are deemed as the most blessed. This is the trajectory of corrupt fellows still flaunting on the street unrestrained.
Every right thinking mind knows that abandoning a multimillion dollar plant such as Ajaokuta steel complex has been the worst economic crime against Nigeria’s revenue base, development of Kogi state, et al. A company projected to yield annual revenue of over $1.6 billion in 2022; some individuals deliberately turned it to den of corruption and a revered monarch summoned the effrontery to defend it. Is it not crazy?
The change in government of Kogi state and the drunken state of these profiled nitwits from the central deforms every attempt at sanity and it must be stopped going forward. The essence of democracy is inclusive leadership, transparent process, and so on. Why do some persons feel leaders are not to be questioned? Why should right thinking monarch kick against investigation of Ajaokuta steel company’s financial transaction? This apparently show they know something and they should be investigated. There is something fishy about the Central and associated leadership. Their ex leaders are sacred cows that must not be touched, so is Ajaokuta steel and Iron Ore Itakpe which foremost transactions were carried out in era of those ex leaders. What do we call this?
– John Paul writes from Lagos.
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