Incessant and Dubious Arrests in Ekinrin-Adde, Kogi State: Gradual Slide Towards Anarchy – Aiyenigba Olalekan

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The string of arrests targeted at prominent politicians from Ekinrin-Adde, the home town of Hon. James Faleke should be a cause of worry to right thinking people not only in Kogi state but across the nation. The oddities the political situation in the state have foisted on us is capable of precipitating chaos if not managed properly and it is hoped that those concerned will understand that no illegal act will go unchallenged.

It is not only strange but annoying that in 21st century, democratic Kogi state a government will be so allergic to the truth and criticism that it will now resort to acts of blatant intimidation to gag and suppress those with divergent and contrasting opinion and disposition. Or how can one reasonable justify and rationalize the obnoxious use of security operatives to invade residents of law-abiding citizens in commando-style just to satisfy the nefarious intention of a governor. With the deplorable security situation in the state a la armed robbery and kidnapping, one would expect these overzealous security operatives to understand that the jackboot approaches they presently exhibit is not in any way acceptable in normal democratic clime. The zeal and commitment lavished in the pursuit and persecution of political opponents should in my humble opinion be redirected towards tackling the pitiable insecurity Kogites grapple with every day. With the antecedence of the S.A Security to Alh. Yahaya Bello, there was no doubt that in no time we shall be assailed with the Ogoni spectacle but it is imperative that the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command should avoid being made a willing tool in the hands of political entrepreneurs.

The systematic provocative antics of Alh. Yahaya Bello should be noted and all those who hail his persistent impunity and indiscretions should not wail about wizard or witch hunting when tables turn as it surely will. What is urgent about commissioning a refurbished health facility in Ekinrin Adde, the home town of Hon. James Faleke whose mandate Alh. Bello is accused to have fraudulently hijacked which is the subject of contention in the Election Petitions Tribunal? It is nothing but rubbing salt into the injury the electoral heist has inflicted on our people.

If tables were turned and Hon. Faleke were in Alh. Bello’s shoes, will our co-tenants in the state from Kogi Central have been as civil and comported as the people of Ekinrin Adde? Our preference for rule of law must not be misconstrued as docility. When has exercising the freedom of expression and association as enshrined in the Constitution become an illegality in Nigeria? This is one of the alleged offences Hon. Olowo is being taken into custody for. Even if his manner of arrest was carried out with decorum when compared to the barbaric destruction in Hon. Olumoko’s country home in Ekinrin Adde, it is important to carry out investigations on any alleged malfeasance without malice and in accordance with the law. When faced with situations similar to the ones displayed in Ekirin-Adde, our elders will say; OLOPA EWO NI TEPE, AMUNI NJE AMUNI. EWO NI TI ONI BO NIBE.

For a government faced with a myriad of problems that have kept its people in anguish, it is strange that the mundane will now be the focus of such an administration. Civil servants are being callously neglected under the guise of verification exercise to clear the civil service of “ghost workers” apart from the dismal situation of the state when viewed from the angle of infrastructures.

Each time these absurdities are perpetrated, the government and its apologists will brazenly feign ignorance and tell the world they have no hand in it when the whole of their body is engraved in the scheme. We still operate a democracy in Nigeria and by extension Kogi state, so any attempt at despotic monarchy is certainly doomed for failure.

Head of security agencies in the state should learn from their colleagues who have in moments of compromised overzealousness thrown caution to the winds in deference to the whims of individuals and interests; the immediate wish of any politician is not worth their careers as the Marlyn Ogar and Brig. Gen. Momoh examples have clearly shown. Until the tribunal and courts finally decide our collective fate in Kogi state, the government and the governed must respect and abide by the rule of law without engaging in absurdities and impunities that could further traumatize the state and its people who seek nothing more than a departure from the misery and agony of their present situation.

Finally, I wish to reiterate that Alh. Yahaya Bello must take things easy because the delinquency he has exhibited in governance so far is not a good testimony for proponents of youth participation in politics. Everything in life, including life itself is transient and any positon anyone is opportune to occupy should not be abused or misused. The Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) situation is an apt reminder of how ephemeral life is; he was so powerful that he single-handedly postponed a general election by six weeks but about six months after he is being hounded like a common criminal. The saying holds true that what goes round comes around. This is not a plea rather it is an admonition to those initiating and orchestrating the macabre display of ignominy in Kogi state to take stock and retrace their steps and tow the path of dignity and honour because in the final analysis Kama is the only law that runs its full course; it rewards and punishes actions or lack of same appropriately.

One thing that is incontrovertible is that Kogi state will emerge from the present conundrum contrived and foisted on it and its people better and stronger.

Aiyenigba Olalekan writes from Ilorin


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