Whenever our elders see the kind of persistent and festering crises as we have in Kogi state, they will retort; EGBIRIN OTE, BA SE NPA KAN NI KAN NRU meaning cob of conspiracy, as one is cut another sprouts. The events of the past months are truly an indication that Kogi state is morphing from Confluence of Possibilities to Confluence of Intractable crisis and confusion. If not, what reasonable explanation can one give for the consistent and persistent movement from one controversy to the other?
Kogites had so much expectations of a better life from the unexpected power that shifted not only geographically but generationally as it appeared then. The general belief is that what we experienced was divinely ordained but I ask, didn’t we err tremendously by our refusal to do an autopsy; medical and metaphysical on Late Prince Abubakar Audu to be sure beyond every doubt that his strange and unexpected demise was an act of God and not padded or aided?
Constituted authority now sees ‘ghosts’ in every endeavor from workers/pensioners to unlawful double-registration with INEC. The intractable crisis can only be explained from the point of view of a haunted administration with the easiest of chores inexplicably made difficult and the circle of confusion continues foisting agony and anguish on Kogites. Majoring in minor and the mundane is now elevated to state policy.
Amidst chronic and serial unkept promises by government on issues affecting the wellbeing of Kogites; callous inability to pay salaries/pensions, conflicting pronouncements by government appointees on issues of importance, truth-twisting/outright falsehood, prodigious prodigality and profligacy in the exhibition of callous insensitivity to the plight of the common man, the government embarked on a fruitless and ill-advised recall process of Senator Dino Melaye who was once described as the hero of democracy in Kogi state after the inauguration of Gov. Yahaya Bello’s administration in Kogi state.
That Sen. Dino Melaye has become a thorn in the flesh of the administration with his virulent criticism of the government is not in doubt but one pertinent question to ask is whether the issues he has raised are true reflections of the situation in Kogi state. From non-payment of salaries/pensions and anomalies in local government administration in Kogi state, can there be any argument about the inappropriateness of the deplorable situation of the quality of life majority of Kogites?
Kogites continue to witness grating display of ineptitude by the juvenile proclivities of government appointees and the plight of the people have assumed the status of the proverbial coconut leaf that gets tougher and harder when all expectations is for it to become soft.
The recall process is the most naïve politically of decisions in recent times considering the alleged resources poured into it. Kogites await the outcome of this bid but the manner it’s been being prosecuted is manifesting lack of clear understanding and like previous misadventures of the administration in Kogi state have embarked on I sadly foresee another failure.
Political appointees of Okun extraction are now in a precarious situation as proof of their loyalty is now attached to and is subject to confirmation by the ‘destruction’ of one of their own and we now have frenzied efforts to outdo and outshine each other in this commissioned rat race. One positive outcome of this saga is the assured demystification of constituted authority and the realization that there can never be any substitute for humane government policies with the enhanced living of the average man as cardinal objective. A government that impoverishes its workforce and pensioners through refusal to pay their dues and goes around sharing cups of rice and cash not adequate to see any of the beneficiaries through a single day is not only exhibiting insensitivity but stripping its citizens of their dignity.
The dilemma of Okun nation is once again brought to the fore and soon those insistent on satiating their selfish aspirations to the detriment of collective good will realize the transience of influence and power. If the recall process is truly the consequence of disenchantment of majority of Kogi West constituents the process will achieve its goal but if its borne out of the devious desire to divide and decimate Okun nation to enable reactionary forces within and without dominate Okun people, it will end a dismal failure.
To those fanning the embers of discord, they will soon understand the futility in their quest not minding the ignoble and treacherous role of Okun persons in the saga. Those who can’t envisage life outside their present position should retrospect on the situation of those in their position in the immediate past. Sadly in Kogi state, there is just a lot of crazy confusion in a whole lot of opportunities.
For all the apparatus of a government to be mobilized just for one individual is a sign of strength and prominence on the part of one and weakness and mediocrity on the part of another. To those who see the in the saga an opening to revive a moribund career in politics, one can only wish them the best but they need to understand that the people are wiser now and their antecedents when they had similar opportunity for a longer duration will not permit people take them serious anymore. And for Okun personalities gloating and smirking behind the scene with a ‘serves him right attitude’ it’s an ill wind that will blow us no good in Okunland. Okunland will ultimately emerge from this better and greater.
To His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, his day of revelation for redemption begins when Allah (SWT) grants him a clear vision of all he might have achieved, of all the gifts he has wasted, of all he might have done which he did not do or refused to do. In one of His Excellency’s responses to detractors, he promised to shut critics up with achievements and Kogites expect nothing less. Though payments of salaries/pensions ought not to be classified as an achievement but Kogites will gladly call it that only if the government will do the needful and bring an end to the suffering of Kogites.
To Sen. Dino Melaye, the ‘IGBA OKO, IGBA ADA’ analogy of our elders when faced with unholy alliance of conspirators is my parting shot.
Kogites are in dire straits and are really not interested in any drama that has no relevance to their wellbeing. Government should engage more in activities with less distraction and focus more on things that will remove the ominous overcast on the state. Kogi state is truly a confluence of opportunities considering its unique location and abundance of natural and human resources; harnessing these for the good of the majority is the sure direction to prosperity.
Earlier today lives were lost and some wounded because of a bogus attempt to make ego, callousness and inordinate ambition trump reason. As Hausas will say, ‘Allah ya isa’!
– Aiyenigba Olalekan
