Spaghetti flying news have it that the Kogi State Government has spent N1B, some say N5BN others manufacturing their own figures on the recall of Senator Dino Melaye. This is being bandied that supposed intellectuals. Does that mean that the economic stomach of Kogi West, grew by billions within a day, just like that? If so, Kogi West must have many millions of Naira sitting in the rooms of the electorate.
If this is true, does that mean the people of Kogi West are so dishonest? Does that mean that the period of using “money” to induce votes are over? This means Nigerian electoral value system has changed forever. The people of Okun are saints forever. It is also means politicians don’t need any money for elections anymore, let them write long manifestos, recite plenty speeches and act drama like Senator Dino Melaye to win elections.
Some political enthusiasts have claimed that what happened in Kogi West is a precursor to 2019. They say Bello would be rejected. If this is true, can Dino truly defeat a Barr. Tunde Irukera, T.J Yusuf or even Smart Adeyemi if elections are held today in Kogi West? Let that sink. What emotional argument would Dino be inducing against them?
Others opine that the recall exercise didn’t fly because the political appointees from Kogi West are not on ground but stomaching all the funds meant to reach the people. I cannot accurately tell you which is which, however, I can say a few things.
What happened in Kogi West on Saturday wasn’t an election. It was verification of votes which was marred by widespread political apathy. The type that says that only 13m voters in Nigeria would have to determine the fate of over 191m Nigerians because the people don’t take electoral franchise seriously. On the other hand, Dino Melaye antics played out well for him. The emotional card was well used in inducing pity.
He hurled himself from a moving vehicle. He choreographed the usual Nigerian political wickedness of “becoming sick” anytime they’re being investigated or called for interrogation. It has worked for many of them. They usually become sick but never die when the law is against them. Some day soon, their drama would become reality, even those still “hospitalized” abroad.
But Kogi West has made history again. From January 27th, when Governor Bello took over the reins of power, a completely new oversight of our constitution was fixed. The electoral act was amended to cover for deceased runners in an election.
Secondly, it was under the administration of of Bello that Nigerians knew Senators can be recalled. It has emboldened our democracy and made the people aware of their powers. Can we test run this recall from time to time? Time shall tell.
But I think Nigeria’s democracy has won.
Under the claws of Kogi State, the Buhari’s INEC has also been tested. It has allayed the fears that 2019 elections would be marred by some level of compromise. Why didn’t INEC declare that it succeeded while Dino goes to court?
If Nigerian Senators are so fantastic to us as a people, why is the 2018 budget still lying in waste on their heads while politicking are on their hands? Do you know that they are claims in some quarters that a delay of the budget would stiffen Buhari performance on the economy, thereby reducing his re-election chances?
This is how 108 Senators hold Nigerians to hunger because yes, the legislature has enormous powers. To advance the lives of ordinary Nigerians is subjected to executive politicking.
The people of Okun felt Dino, their son, was being persecuted. It wasn’t true. If honesty is applied, there’s been issues of political struggle. It became constant that the Kogi State Government became a constant name during plenary more than the Budget debate. How can one authorize Nigeria’s legislature to become the “trial court” of Kogi State even when the Red chamber isn’t a court? The talk of always about non-payment of salaries in Kogi State, but is that a Kogi special problem? More than half into almost all of the APC states in Nigeria owe their workers salaries, ranging from different months. Even the Chairman of the APC Governor’s forum owes in his state. How many of their Senators make their states a national anthem like Dino Melaye on the floor of the senate? If there’s any argument that he makes those calls because he loves his people, can you all show us what he has used his constituency benefits to do in his constituency? What exactly?
We see affluence and display of wealth, plethora of cars which are the funds of his constituency members while he attacks his state Governor in a pretend of fighting for the masses. Can you fight for the masses without your own example as a front burner?
This is just an argument to clarify that what Dino has been doing is unrelated to affecting his people positively.
We heard rumours of his demands from the Governor to control major political structures from his constituency. He wanted all the nominations for Local Government Administrators. Besides that, we have a Senator who prouds himself as the “god father” of a “Governor” because he opined to have installed him.
Okun people had the ethnic card playing then, I read reports where it was alleged that another person from another region shouldn’t determine the fate of the Okun people.
Can our democracy survive this kind of torture? Come with me. I would not admit that other factors.
If the belly-swallowing claims is true about the appointees from Kogi West extraction, then, as a lover of Kogi State and s positive critic of the Government, I would not hide my spine in saying, actions should be intensified to modulate their character. I do not think that your own people whom you claim to have influence upon would deny you openly on your claims.
It is also rather sad, that the age of the appointees are used as a leverage on why they failed. The New Direction Government has been accused of selecting “feather weight” politicians to represent their brand, asking for a major cabinet reshuffle to bring in seasoned hands. Does that not invalidate the claims that “young” people should take over power?
If we keep relapsing to the old hands just to win elections because they understand the manipulative route and are seasoned contact of electoral establishment, how can we advance the future of the young people who are referred as “inexperienced”?
It is quite unfortunate. However, it does not reduce their opportunities for creative impact. For starters, I know Kehinde Oloruntoba, he is the Commissioner for Agriculture. His ministry is to drive Kogi’s 2018 budget by 15%. He has demonstrated his mettle by handling two ministries:Budget and Planning, then now Agriculture. He has also made girnomous interventions for his people.
Can he be referred to as “feather weight” politician because he has not been a grassroot-election-manipulating expert, whom add no value to the state growth system but only know how to win elections? These are deeper issues.
In my opinion, the appointees from Kogi West should be measured according to their portfolio and turnover, rather than lofty credentials of electoral manipulation hanging over their heads.
Without mincing words, some appointees from Kogi West also need to up their game. From the reports I read, I think they were claims of not always visiting their constituency. They were claims that they only distribute motorcycles and grinding machines rather than explain and provide insights into what the New Direction means. They were also claims of how they are very economical with benevolence even as the salaries of their people isn’t consistent. I think there should be a Communication chain deeply entrenched.
Is it also a matter of urgency that the Government need retooling of their cabinet, I think as someone who has seen how appraisal system works, the same Government is to determine so, not necessarily our opinions. Portfolios are given with baseline targets, have these people met the targets? That is the decision for the Government to make.
These are real issues that we shouldn’t carpet. Dino Melaye has been able to provide data for measuring the collective impact of the appointees vis-a-vis, where Government need to up her game. It is also another call that more fences should be mended. Obviously, not the Dino kind of fences, but fences with the real people.
I know some appointees from Kogi East and Central who go to their constituencies almost every weekend. They keep the contact alive with their people. I don’t agree that relationship is always about money distillation. Sometimes, how do you engage your people?
How many of Kogi West’ appointees also interact with their people on social media like we see others do from other senatorial districts?
Conclusively, Dino Melaye’s exercise I do not think was to recall him, however, the intention behind his recall is louder. The gross impunity by our federal law makers have been orphaned. A giant vulnerability of theirs has been laid bare by the indigenes of Kogi West, in Kogi State.
Proficient data has also been provided for the Government to understand the real issues. Which I believe they’ll capitalize on. This house must not crumble on us.
Kogi must rise. We are winning from every crisis. The past and future would always clash, but the future would always win.
– Promise Emmanuel (Kogi Rebel)
