As the long awaited Kogi gubernatorial election beckons, one thing is certain after the poll, Kogi will either get better or worse. Her life can never remain the same after a shake off of this magnitude. Someone will emerge, others will go to court, fools will die, wailers will continue, hailers won’t stop, celebration and grief will engulf our land.
Albeit, the things we wish to happen are what will definitely transpire. The trees are not Kogi, not even the rivers, we the humans are what is referred to as Kogi state. Once more, our destiny has been handed over to us. The onus is now on us to decide whatever we want in the next four years.
If wisdom is anything profitable, let’s be wise for a moment like this. Let us pause to ponder over where we are in the committee of states and where we ought to be given the natural endowment gifted to us.
If a good turn deserves another, what should happen to Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello (GYB)? Has he ever done anything good for Kogi? Are things better than before? How well do we know other aspirants? What if those we think are better turn worse for us? How long shall we continue getting things wrong? What is our fate? What awaits us at the end of this election? Is there a second chance?
Some of the calculations and undertone interests or alignment can be decipher on the surface level. Some people are only canvassing for GYB because it was planned that the ship will be handed over to Edward Onoja to sail after Bello alight in four years time. This sect based their alignment on their location or relationship with Edward Onoja, hence, they don’t mind where Bello is from or whatever he might have done wrong–here is where ‘Enemuneme’ slogan emanated from. To some, it’s just the simple belief that Ebira should have their eight years in peace because the Igalas have had enough.
Most of those wanting former Governor Idris Wada back seem not to be having alternative, the APC has dealt with them in one way or the other so where else would they pitch their tents? To some of this sect, the Igalas might vote the retired captain if it turns head to head between him an Yahaya Bello.
Very many few aspirants and their supporters hinged their faith on the assumption that any Igala man who goes head to head with Bello will win, hence their struggle to become flag bearers. But let’s not forget that Bello has conquered Olamaboro and others with littered appointments.
In same vein, some only want Bello off because of a discord. Something happened, things fell apart and the government abandoned them. To this group, it’s a time to pay back.
There are too many undertones and interest in pursuit here, albeit, selfish interest tops all motives. What wisdom is part of a move for spending a state’s money on sponsoring fake and doctored candidacy when we are yet to pay our workers up-to-date?
Bello is not coming back if given another four years, but if Kogi still go through what they went through in the past eight years of Wada-Bello, what do we stand to gain? Your brother or boss’ appointment is not as important as watching a state collapsing in the hands of mediocre.
Just before you canvass for the returning of Bello or Wada, just know that no selfish interest worth the fate of an entire state. All things been equal, everyone of us will benefit at least a thing from our state. Not one set living and the others dying as it is today, think about it.
– Onoja Johnson Baba writes from Lokoja.
