In many parts of the world ,there goes a saying that failure doesn’t comes from falling down, it comes from not getting up, but when ignorance liquored up with egotism thrives, there could be no possible dissension to failure.
Kogi state which came into existence on the 27th august 1991, it was seen as a substantial progress for its citizens because it brought a reunion of people who had shared its historical roots and coexisted symphonically for over 80 years. It harbours three major ethnic groups namely the ebira, okun and the igala which has the largest population amongst them, not forgetting other minorities such as the bassa komo, bassa nge, kakanda, kupa, ogori, nupe, oworo, Gwari e.t.c with a state richly blessed with mineral/natural resources such as limestone, iron, petroleum and tin as well as provision for agriculture, one would have expected it to serve as a haven of bliss for its new born citizens but those dreams were ephemeral, no thanks to the whammy and scourge of our national decadence.
The crave for lucre has become a major disincentive to creative leadership in the state compounding the already combustible scenario is the tribalistic cling to power by the igalas.
The credentials for power is no longer in the capacity, prospects and qualities of the individual but now by ethnic jingoism profligates and mindless saboteur of dubious intent masquerading as politicians cling onto political power to aggravate the already dismal malady.
But there comes to mind, what is the essence of a fellow in power when the habitual result is always the general failure of the whole state. it now seems that to get to power, you will have to either be an Igala, an ally or cronies of the igala’s whereas the right of leadership is suppose to be equivalent amongst all the tribe and should be base on merit rather than coax imposition/tribal origin.
I think its high time the whole state comes to understanding that if everything continues this way, we will never find the gateway to success, we will plunge into unending darkness until we come a harmonious agreement that we all need to be united in ridding out the toxic brinkmanship/sectional political system to ensure general development of the state.it is a political conundrum that is tasking but surely deserves an answer.
by Engr. Abdulkadir I. A. from FMARD.
