Spread the love
Who is Austin Okai?
I am Comrade Usman Okai Austin a native of Emewe-opada in Dekina Local Government Area. I am also an advocate for social justice and good governance in Nigeria. I am the national coordinator of PDP National Youth Frontier
As peoples’ advocate, you have been very critical of the current administration. What do you think are the anomalies?
Myriads of anomalies ranging from governance to social responsibilities. The government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello in Kogi state is built on deciet, lies, misinformation, denials, persecution and other ills.
Salaries are not statutorily paid; we got bailout, Paris Club refunds in billions yet workers and pensioners entitlement at all levels are not resolved to the tune of 18 to 20 months due to endless screening. So many of those allegedly screened and cleared are still unpaid with reports of the screening muddled up and hijacked by same government at the point of conclusion.
Kogi is in a serious mess in this dispensation. Human development sacrificed on the altar of avarice and politics with poverty, starvation becoming a norm in the state.
Kogi state is in the hands of kidnappers and the government seems helpless and clueless on what to do to bring this unfortunate trend to a halt.
What do you think the people of Kogi state should look up to that is not been offered them now.
Soon after the ascension of the current administration, regarded as divine, with youthful Yahaya Bello at the helms of affairs, we expected a departure from the old order and display of agile and active traits to the betterment of the citizenry but the reverse is the case. Government that took off on the destruction of monumental relics and structures to mere renovation whose amount triple the cost of acquiring or putting up a new structure is sad.
The tourists centres and structures demolished could not be replaced with billions of naira tax payers money for mere parochial politicial interest. It is highly worrisome.
Kogi state is a civil servants state and whoever tamper with the salaries of workers is directly investing in poverty. The people expected good governance but unfortunately the reverse is the case. The state was cheaply given out to a man that lacks prowess and wherewithal to even be a local government chairman more or less a state governor. Kogi is currently under siege
Part of the criteria to govern the state was youthfulness which Mr. Yahaya Bello represents, should that be taken into consideration come 2019?
That idea is not negotiable as it is in vogue world over. Even though Kogi is experiencing the other side of the coin with bitter lessons, we will not be deterred. Providence has decided on generational shift of power to more youthful persons and this is due for endorsement through the on-going constitutional amendment. In youths, alot of potentials are been tapped so Kogi will not be an exception going by the feelings and the choices of the masses.
But the present Governor is a complete bad example of the youth in governance we sought for. But, dont forget, Bello was never elected but imposed on us by the APC and powers that be. His adolescence character is unacceptable. Ever since he got this power cheaply he has involved himself in all manner of controversies.
Bello is at war with Nigerian Senate, he is at war with the State Assembly, he is at war with the state NLC, NUT, NMA, ASUU and pensioners. He is at war with opposition and even his own political party has passed a vote of no confidence on him. He is at war with Senator Dino Melaye, he is at war with the Governor of Akwa Ibom state. He is so confused with power and do not even know what next to do with power.
Bello was assigned by the devil to punish Kogi people.
It is been alleged that Kogi state is more divided under Bello-led government now than before. If that is substantiated, what kind of person do you think should be supported in future gubernatorial elections?
Kogi state is sharply divided in all ramifications in terms of transparency, accountability and due diligence. The civil service, the engine room of governance had been polarised along ethnic divide. Politically, it has attained a dangerous dimension with the way the government operates.
Projects inherited are deliberately abandoned i.e. KSUTH Anyigba, New Kogi House, Kogi Hotels and others that can attract investment and revenue to the state.
We yearn for a state were all and sundry will collectively contribute to the development and progress of the state one way or the other and not divide and rule idea.
We use to hear of ‘Kogi Project’ and ‘Dekina Project’, which is a local government in Kogi state. Can you elucidate more on this?
No doubt, Kogi project is geared towards the development and emancipation of Kogites and as it stands it is non-negotiable from all areas leadership is bestowed. But, when you narrow it down to ‘Dekina Project’ it has to do with the resolve by the people of the area to lead Kogi state. Although, for good governance, we are not religiously committed to the agenda. Going back to the basics, the ‘Dekina Project’ must be a subject of negotiations and political solution.
You were recently accused, by aides of Kogi Governor, of collecting money from people to make them Governor. How true is that ?
The media aides of the governor are out of ideas and they are confused. I don’t have power to make anybody Governor of Kogi state but I am very sure, by God grace, that Bello is only one term Governor.
The desperation expressed by the media aide of governor is clear and as I am talking to you, I don’t have any candidate but we are aware of certain criteria that must be met to before anyone can even think of vying for the highest office in the state. We need a man of proven integrity and outstanding antecedents. We need a technocrat who can look inwards to boost our IGR, because the next governor will inherit several challenges. By end of this month, Kogi state allocation will be short by 800 million Naira as a deduction for the repayment of bailout fund that was squandered by this very government.
It is not true. I did not collect money from any governorship hopeful.
Spread the love
