Despite the persistent but peculiar denial by Alh. Yahaya Bello, it is obvious that he contrived the crisis to correct the political imbalance his emergence as governor foisted on the state. It is disturbing that Gov. Bello insists on impunity in his unreasonable interference in the affairs of the state assembly. Although, the leadership crisis in the House predates the coming of the governor, his actions since assumption of office and that of those taking instructions from him continue to heat up the polity. No matter how repetitious a few individuals decide to bask in lawlessness, it remains a cob of illegalities. Kogi state is not the first state in Nigeria with a governor that circumstance will force to work with a House of Assembly dominated by the opposition party members and none seem to be saddled with the confusion in Kogi state.
We had a situation where five supposed honourable members purportedly impeached the speaker and also changed the entire leadership of the assembly in a bizarre forgery of signatures and criminal misrepresentation of facts.
For a state in the throes of a deleterious crisis, it is unfortunate that Gov. Yahaya Bello is exhibiting a disturbing and disgusting obstinacy with his ignoble role that has converted Kogi State House of Assembly to Kogi State House of Commotions just because he wants to correct the skewed political equation his emergence as governor engendered in the first place.
After the resolution of the House of Representatives to wade into the conundrum in the assembly, the committee raised visited the state on a fact-finding mission despite the spirited but amusing attempt by the minority faction to stop the committee from performing its duties as enshrined in the constitution with an admonition that all parties to the issue should maintain status quo.
It is with this in mind that the illegal plenary of the Assembly of 2nd March, 2016, where ten (10) members who are undeniably not honourable met, confirmed and swore in a factional Deputy Speaker and Minority Whip in a House of twenty-five(25) members can be clearly appreciated. This gives credence to earlier speculations that Gov. Bello is maliciously focused on stoking the embers of discord in the assembly for reasons less than noble despite his vaunted avowed commitment to the principle of power separation.
The House of Representatives is yet to come out with its recommendations on the Kogi Assembly crisis but it’s clear now that the reign of impunity continues with its attendant illegalities.
As with other actions and decisions of Alh. Yahaya Bello since he was sworn in, Kogi state continue to relate tales of oddities to its peers in the country. The impulsive impulsion of Gov. Yahaya Bello in governance has become the bane of the peace and development of Kogi state.
The House of Assembly should be allowed to perform its duties as stipulated in our laws without undue hindrance and unnecessary interference. If there is any need to effect change in the leadership of the Assembly, it must be done in accordance with the law; honourable members must be allowed to conduct their affairs as stated in the statutes and rules of the House. The unrelenting crisis in the Assembly under the aegis of Gov. Yahaya Bello is a NEW DIRECTION to chaos. The acrimonious atmosphere pervading the House must be vanquished. Any action or lack thereof that will deteriorate the confusion in the Assembly should be avoided for it will be an acme of callousness to push Kogi state towards the edge of the precipe just because Gov. Yahaya Bello is desirous of a state Assembly that will pander to his every whim.
A quick and lawful resolution is the rational and reasonable option to end the impasse to allow for quality legislation that will help tackle the hydra-headed problems facing Kogi state. The path of sanity is to await the recommendations of the House of Representatives on the issue and implement same. The present situation where majority of the Honourable members of the Assembly have relocated to Abuja is not in the interest of Kogi state and not a good omen for Gov. Yahaya Bello rather it is a harbinger of anarchy.
– Olalekan Aiyenigba writes from Ilorin
