The biggest obstacle to the “New Direction” of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, from day one—apart from the resentment Kogites felt due to his unconventional rise to power—was the way those closest to him created barriers, making him inaccessible to the average Kogite. A governor who broke the established status quo should naturally become a people’s person, shouldn’t he?
From my observations, and the words of those who have experienced his leadership directly, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, is known as a compassionate and kind-hearted leader. His tendency to trust people deeply when he believes in them, to the point where he ignores outside opinions, is both a strength and a vulnerability. This trusting nature allowed individuals in his inner circle to manipulate access to him, and shaped the public’s perception.
His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello constantly sought out individuals with potential, in the bid to offer them opportunities to improve their lives while contributing to society’s betterment. Unfortunately, those in his inner circle either misunderstood this or acted out of self-interest. He is someone who uplifts people when he sees potential, yet this quality was often sabotaged by the very people meant to support him.
They saw their association with the young Agassa traveller as a privileged possession, one they feared losing. This led them to isolate him, and ensured that his efforts to connect with the public remained limited. They rather saw opportunities in taking the good from those who seek opportunities to amplify their own individual team, rather than granting them the needed audience.
Each senatorial district has its own stories, but as an easterner, and given that His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, reportedly dedicated his first term to our region, it’s difficult to see the good in those who prevented his generosity from reaching the people. These individuals may have had good intentions, but they only succeeded in alienating the public from their leader.
His Excellency, Chief Edward David Onoja (CEDO), a master strategist of the “New Direction” and a key leader, missed a significant opportunity to establish himself as a lasting political figure in Kogi State. With the death of His Excellency, Prince Abubakar Audu, Igalaland needed a leader who could rebuild confidence. Instead, CEDO and his allies became absorbed in GYB-Audu factional politics, which ultimately did more harm than good.
At that time, CEDO wielded considerable influence over Kogi’s political landscape. Although he was known as a “builder of men,” he resisted new ideas that could help rebuild Igalaland and reshape how they politick. The few close to him, fearing his reaction, rarely challenged his approach, allowing an inner circle of entitlement to flourish.
Imagine if even a GYB faction member from any part of the state struggled to access the governor without CEDO’s permission, no matter how close they were with His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello before politics. What then would be the fate of an Audu faction member or an average Igala person trying to meet His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello? No wonder he was often referred to as the de facto governor of Kogi State.
In Ankpa LGA, the biggest beneficiary of this power play was the KSHA member representing Ankpa 1 State Constituency, a former PDP member who understood how to leverage CEDO’s strategies. He was made and held enormous power as deputy speaker, with only two voices in Kogi East louder than his: Chief Edward David Onoja and Hon. Ahmed Attah. But in the end, it was all about gaining followership for their respective leaders, and they cared less about His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the “New Direction.”
This political game persisted until a shift in the “New Direction” occurred, with Pharm. Abdulkareem Jamiu Asuku taking charge. Asuku’s early steps suggested a desire to bridge party divides and heal old wounds. However, it soon became evident that he, too, was building his own circle of influence, and his actions eventually showed a repeat of those of his predecessor, albeit with more refined strategies. It was a game as usual.
Under Asuku’s leadership, Ankpa LGA benefited again, as efforts to integrate the Audu faction saw a member from Ankpa 2 State Constituency rise to deputy speaker. Initially, this move seemed promising, but power quickly went to their heads. Instead of working for the greater good, they sought personal vendettas, and the hidden agenda was to bring down what remained of the CEDO’s structure. They also repeated the mistakes of the previous power structure before theirs.
This is the untold story of power struggles among the “New Direction” generals and how they stalled progress at crucial moments. I have highlighted these two instances because the power that the administration posited in the office of the chief of staff. Often, I wished that His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, had more leaders who shared his vision within the “New Direction, and the Kogi story he envisaged would have been told completely even before the efforts of the incumbent. “
Many who helped their leaders play these political games grew resentful when the APC’s decision favoured His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, over their bosses. They vented on social media, with some even defecting to opposition parties to break a system that they thought they held the power. But given everything that happened, can you really blame His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for his decision? Do you grow your team members to become leaders to work against your ideals, or to flourish together as one?
While some celebrated the end of a damaging era for Kogi APC and the “New Direction” when these individuals successfully weeded themselves out with their attitudes, a new structure seems to be forming. His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, is performing beyond expectations, but it would be a shame if the same dynamics that surrounded his predecessor emerged with him. His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has cleared the field; now it’s up to Ododo to leave his mark and prevent a repeat of past mistakes.
To those in the “Continuity and Consolidation” government, remember that the good work of the current administration must continue, and the legacy of the past must be upheld. His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, is the governor of Kogi State. He is not your trophy. The sooner you understand this, the better.
Now is the time to complete the evolution of Kogi’s political landscape, reaching a point where our divisions no longer influence how we engage in politics; just as His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello envisioned. The actions of everyone in decision-making positions today will either drive this progress forward or hold it back, and time is no longer on our side. Kogi East, West, and Central are nothing without Kogi State as a whole.
To the APC leaders across Kogi east’s nine LGAs: nurturing your individual factions like you are seriously doing now is part of democracy’s beauty, but don’t let them overshadow the interests of Kogites and the APC. If each of you had upheld the “New Direction” mandates and strengthened grassroots unity, securing the 2 or 3 polling units in your villages wouldn’t have been a challenge in the 2023 gubgubernatorial. Please, see this period as a second chance to relive the GYB’s standard.
Thank you, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for the gift of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo. Kogi State can only get better from here.
– Abdul Mohammed Lawal.
