Kogi state since inception has exhibited a uniqueness unrivalled by any of its peers but unfortunately its unusual attribute is not worthy of pride and neither is it beneficial to its citizens.
Despite its abundant resources scattered across the state, inept leadership over the years have kept it trailing states created at the same time with it and those after.
Over the years Kogi state despite its endowment and enviable position as No. 12 on the monthly federal allocation list remain a glorified county. Its diversity in terms of ethnicity and resources that ought to be an asset has been the bane of its development. Due to criminal marginalization from inception, the clamour for power shift became strident in the run up to the November 21st 2016 gubernatorial election but the shallowness and greediness of its political elite saw the west and central zones after so much effort surrender the ticket of the two main political parties to aspirants from the east which deferred the dream of power shift to 2020; so was the general assumption until fate played a fast one with the tragic demise of Prince Abubakar Audu at the verge of being declared governor with imminent victory at the polls in sight. Since then Kogi state seems to have murdered tranquility and has known no peace.
From the initial contrived inconclusive election to the supplementary election it birthed, it has been one long tale of inconclusiveness. With the anointing of Alh. Yahaya Bello as Governor, it was hoped that the state will commence a journey in a NEW DIRECTION towards peace and prosperity; this has remained a mere wish.
An overview of vital sectors of the state epitomise the tragedy of a state in quagmire. Over 120 days into the administration, Kogi state is comatose with its people miserable and in anguish. A lethal potion of ego, greed and callous obstinacy on the part of those saddled with steering the ship of state have earned for the state a notoriety for things deeply shameful.
In the bid to rid the civil service of ghost workers, the government inaugurated a screening committee to weed out this cankerous group from its workforce but months later, the removal of the chairman of the committee who is also the SA, Security to the governor dashed the hopes of civil servants who have been denied their wages for so long. The implication of this sad development is that the traumatized workers of Kogi state whose hopes have been raised must endure further hardship through no fault of theirs until the reorganized committee concludes its assignment which is not anytime soon.
Labour has embarked on indefinite strike to show its rejection of the outcome of the jettisoned screening panel report. A demoralized and traumatized labour is certainly not the best for a state aspiring to harness its potentials for the benefit of its people.
Bailout fund and four months allocation are allegedly fixed in certain banks and because the tenor of deposit is not matured explains the continuous postponement of the payment of wages of the civil servants in the state.
Politically, the state house of assembly is embroiled in a convoluted crisis allegedly orchestrated by the Governor in his bid to install one of his lackeys as Speaker.
Tragically, five members with the Governor’s tactic support have taken over the House despite the judgment of the Federal High Court declaring the purported impeachment done by the five illegal, null and void. Thugs and soldiers took over the assembly to pave way for the five members to sit chasing away policemen stationed there to maintain law and order in the process. The avenue to make law for good governance has been blocked and the rule of force taken over. The cabinet is composed in its present form of novices in governance that have placed the state in stagnant mode with glaring policy gaffes that have impacted negatively on the lives of the people.
In terms of security, Kogi state is probably the most treacherous state to reside in or pass through because of the high rate of kidnapping and killings despite the huge sum the governor has drawn as security fund. Many in the state have jokingly but sadly remarked that Boko Haram infested areas of the country are safer now and that Kogites are internally displaced though they are still living in their houses.
The legality of the Governors occupation of Lugard House is still a subject of petitions at the election tribunal which Kogites are eagerly awaiting judgment.
In terms of infrastructure, what Kogi state has experienced is destruction of existing edifice and monuments which has not been replaced or reconstructed. Our infrastructures are deficient but those in leadership in Kogi state are efficiently living large.
Never in the history of Kogi state has its people been so traumatized; there is so much lethagy, helplessness and hopelessness and it will not be out of place to describe the state as an abode of agony with basic requirements of life lacking. And all these are happening in the midst of absolute profligacy by just a few in government.
Kogi state is now burdened with a kitchen cabinet of crafty, cruel and callous individuals who erroneously believe they can wriggle through the matrix of purloining public funds without trace; men and women with mind-boggling mastery in methodical manipulation of facts and figures, individuals with gigabytes of grubbiness and greed. Arbitrariness in governance is now state policy and it has adversely impacted the running of government. Impunity has replaced orderliness and the confusion is suffocating.
From politics to economy to infrastructure and security Kogi state has been rammed into a bog; with the people hungry and expectedly angry. Each dawn the wellbeing of the people is persistently being sacrificed on the altar of the ego, greed and despotic proclivities of its young but inexperienced governor ably assisted by a team of unpatriotic self-centered individuals.
How long the people of Kogi state will be able to persevere in penury remains to be seen.
– Olalekan Aiyenigba
