Elite consensus is a phenomenon which most developed social formations have in common. The concept refers to a situation in which members of the elites are unanimous about the fundamental norms of the social system and progress.
In my opinion, an elitist consensus for Kogi state should be a small but potent influential group of indigenous individuals with the capacity to drive economic growth and development through effective collaboration and partnership with governments at all levels as well as the organized private sector.
The nonchalant attitude and the recurrent phenomena of squabbles and conflicts among members of the elites from the three senatorial district of Kogi State forms the negative features that invariably impose severe limits on the state development.
When comparisons are made between an under- developed social formation like Kogi State and the developing ones, there is often the lamentation that development continues to elude us largely because there is the absence of an elite consensus. As reductionist as this perspective appears to be, there is indeed a lot of validity to this contention.
It is imperative to state that the stability of the system, even its survival, depends on the consensus of those who have been most successful in the system. Little wonder therefore that some scholars contended that elites have a special stake in the continuation of the system in which their privileges rest.
To be sure, the lack of an elite consensus is not the only drawback on our quest for development as a state. Still, this much is clear: if we must develop, then some form of elite consensus must be forged.
On this note, it is apposite to recall the kind of cohesion which held together diverse and episodic societies like the Sokoto Caliphate, the Oyo Empire, and the various segmentary societies in the eastern part of the country
I therefore recommend no less to our own elites. For their own sake and for the rest of society, members of this select group must come together to forge a consensus. Otherwise, Kogi State will remain trapped in the throes and morass of underdevelopment.
– Sani Idakwo Philips writes from Odu in Dekina LGA of Kogi State.
