Just few days ago, the hitherto behind-the-scene scheming and manipulation as to who should make the Ministerial list from Kogi State in the soon to be formed cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari became an open secret, albeit, on some of the social media platforms in a rather needless bickering manner.
The scheming cuts across various political classes from all parts of Kogi State. However, the noise and bickering are rather very loud among the Igala speaking competing interest groups from Kogi East Senatorial District, particularly between the present occupant who may be interested in a comeback and the new entrants that are staging a replacement for him.
In politics, all these shenanigans are expected, if only everyone respects the concept of decorum.
There is no doubt that many equally qualified Kogites are each seriously scheming to be appointed as a minister to replace Professor Stephen Ocheni. Many reasons are adduced for this interest. In politics, that is normal.
I decided to limit or narrow the contenders to Kogi East for obvious reasons in the belief that the Kogi West and Kogi Central elites will see reasons to show mutually-reciprocated understanding in this regard.
Kogi East until 2015 had monopolized the Governorship of Kogi State which has now been shifted to Kogi Central by divine providence. Apart from the Governorship position now in Kogi Central, the two (2) Ambassadors from Kogi State are from Kogi Central. Kogi Central also has the Federal Commissioner of the National Population Commission (NPC); Federal Commissioner, Federal Civil Service Commission; and Sate Chairman of APC; among others.
Similarly, Kogi West is also privileged to have DG, Consumer Protection Council (CPC); DG, National Civil Service Institute; Federal INEC Commissioner, representing North Central; Federal Permanent Secretary; Secretary to the State Government (SSG); Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly; among others.
For the singular reasons above which I know the good people of Kogi Central and Kogi West will show political maturity and understanding on, I will narrow down the discussion on the notable contenders to the position of the about-to-be-vacant ministerial slot of Kogi state to Kogi East specifically.
A LOOK AT THE PRESENT OCCUPANT OF THE KOGI EAST MINISTERIAL POSITION: PROFESSOR STEPHEN OCHENI
Recently, there have been miniature and juvenile driven write-ups on some social media platforms about the performances and assessment of Professor Stephen Ocheni’s ministerial tenure. Some of these write-ups were maliciously driven by sentiment, while some were based on lack of information and knowledge about the modest contribution of the Minister that is expected to represent the voice and aspiration of the good people of Kogi State at the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
In all, I find the frank submission of Mr. Abdullahi as the most objective. This is reproduced below:
“Igala nation, no doubt lost out politically in the current political dispensation, judging from the death of Audu who was coasting to victory as Governor, before his untimely death; the appointment of Barrister Ocholi into the cabinet, but which was limited to the minister of state status against public expectation and his gruesome death through road traffic crashes less than two years into office.
By the time Professor Ocheni was appointed to succeed him, the senior minister, Dr Ngige must have calculated well and strategised on how to close the gaps and handle whoever that was given the vacant portfolio. This was because the period of the vacuum was long enough for members of the cabinet to settle for the business unlike the initial period they came in, that every one of them was operating under constant fear and guided only by the mood and the body language of Mr President.
Under the circumstances that Professor Ocheni came into the cabinet, there was little that he could do to manifest his true capacity and demonstrate his professionalism. The fact that he was not sworn in by the President, who was away in London then, but by the vice President who had to act out of necessity to inaugurate him, having being cleared by the Senate but just hanging without been inaugurated could have counted against his self confidence and ability to come out fully. This was more so that the President within the period never changed his cabinet and therefore couldn’t have moved him to another ministry, bearing in mind that the Vice President who inaugurated him only directed him to assume office formerly occupied by his late brother, Ocholi.
I personally pity the man, Ocheni, because of the circumstances he found himself in, especially with the toxic politics at that level, which did not make it possible for him to show his real face against all the expectations from his Igala ethnic group who were yearning for sense of belonging and strong identity propelled by an image of one that’s outstanding in his assignments.
Well…to be fair in the analysis of his very short tenure, Professor Ocheni, unfortunately couldn’t have lived up to the ideals expected of him by majority of the Igalas due to many circumstances that worked against him. All the same, he has come and gone, but since age is still on his side, maybe, he might have another chance somewhere to redeem the image of the lame duck that was foisted on him.
Even at that, within the short period that Professor Ocheni served as Minister, he was able to facilitate the Dekina erosion control project worth over 800 million naira and ICT equipment for secondary schools at Idah and Igalamela/Odoulu LGAs respectively. Apart from these, it was also reported that he facilitated employment and scholarships opportunities for some Kogites.
However, for reasons best known to the Minister, he or the beneficiaries of his modest efforts have not been loud about it. This to me is political miscalculations. This is because in politics and indeed political offices, there is no decorum for religious doctrines, whereby the right hands give without letting the left hand to know. In politics everyone is busy blowing his or her trumpet all in the bid for political packaging and marketing, the competitive efforts aimed at outwitting the other contenders. That is the reality of politics in the third world.
As a loyal party man, Professor Ocheni demonstrated unwavering commitment to the victory of all the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidates during the last two general elections. Igalamela/Odolu, his LGA, which was hitherto one of the traditional strongholds of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi East was taken over by all the candidates of the APC across levels.
Unarguably, Professor Ocheni’s greatest asset is that he is very humble, loyal, humane and charitable; that the man successfully served out his tenure without any stained record as a sharp departure from the past scenario, is one of the greatest achievements and honours he has brought to the Igala nation as a worthy ambassador of the good people of Kogi State.
In addition to the above, if equity and fairness in terms of distribution of offices and democratic dividend will be one of the yardsticks President Muhammadu Buhari will consider among other factors, it means Professor Ocheni’s chances for reappointment is very bright.
Kogi East is made up of three federal constituencies (Ankpa, Dekina and Idah). Professor Ocheni hailed from Igalamela/Odoulu LGA which is one of the four (4) LGAs that make up the Idah Federal Constituency. Prince Abubakar Audu who was coasting to victory during the 2015 Governorship election before his death was from Ofu LGA which is also one of the LGAs in that federal constituency. Reliably, it was gathered that Professor Ocheni almost emptied his accounts for the late Audu’s aborted 2015 Governorship bid. The man, Professor Ocheni, remains one of the major dependable allies and subordinates that work closely with the late Audu during his first tenure and still maintain a very strong relationship with the family till now.
In the entire Idah Federal Constituency, with four (4) LGAs where Professor Ocheni hailed from, the only noticeable political portfolio in that area is the position of the Deputy Governor of Kogi State. Do not ask me if it is dormant or active, because I don not have the answer. Therefore, if the other two (2) senatorial districts in Kogi State will be magnanimous enough to concede the ministerial slot to be retained in Kogi East because of the obvious political exigency; it also beholds that the other two Federal constituencies (Ankpa and Dekina) in Kogi East should also embrace the spirit of equity and fairness and allow Idah Federal Constituency to retain the ministerial slot, since that may be the only notable political portfolio to be occupied by that axis.
THE CONTENDER(S) –HAJIYA SALAMATU BAIWA UMAR – ELUMA
The most notable name from Kogi East mentioned so far on the various social media platforms in connection with the Kogi State ministerial slot is the Igala Amazon and woman of substance whose name is synonymous to philanthropist activities, Hajiya Salamatu Baiwa Umar-Eluma, the current National Women Leader of the APC.
Hajiya Baiwa effectively utilised her privileged vintage position as the then Director of Human Resources, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for humanity most especially in the area of influencing and securing employment for the teeming youths majorly from the Kogi East. Her selfless service in this regard is second to none and can be seen by all and sundry. In terms of creating job opportunities for the Igala youths, Hajiya Baiwa is in a class of her own like the Alhaji Jibrin Isah Echocho of our time.
No wonder, sometimes ago, some of her admirers made her posters and pasted around Anyigba town and its environ as a governorship aspirant in Kogi State. Even as she distanced herself from those posters, the message is clear. Again, when she was almost humiliated from office as Director of FAAN, so many persons rose up in her defence in all ramifications.
It is not surprising that the goodwill of Hajiya Salamatu Baiwa might have endeared her for the massive and extraordinary support she enjoyed from the Governor of Kogi state, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. The Governor as informed, mobilised the entire Kogi State All Progressive Congress (APC) structures and his colleagues during the last 2018 APC National Convention for Hajiya Salamatu Baiwa’s victory over the then incumbent APC National Women Leader, who incidentally is of the same ethnic stock as the Governor.
During the last two national elections, Hajiya Baiwa as the APC National Women Leader was able to justify her position by mobilising and canvassing for votes that gave the party a resounding victory across levels.
Judging from above and based on her national clout and connections, Hajiya Salamatu Baiwa is eminently qualified to be appointed as a Minister in the about to be formed cabinet to represent Kogi state in the next Federal Executive Council (FEC). In other words, the people that are canvassing for her appointment are on the surface, very much in order, except other considerable critical factors that they may need to reconsider as follows:
- Hajiya Salamatu Baiwa was elected as the APC National Women Leader in 2018 and barely serves in that capacity within a year. If Hajiya our Igala Amazon is so appointed as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, can her party APC allow her to combine the two positions simultaneously? The answer is a NO.
- If Hajiya Baiwa is so appointed as a Minister and she eventually vacates her position as the National Women Leader of the APC, will the party still reserve that prestigious position for another Igala woman or another Kogite? Please note that the position of the APC National Women Leader was zoned to the North Central of six (6) states (Kogi, Benue, Niger, Kwara, Nassarawa, Plateau states) and FCT who are also eminently qualified to fill the position if vacant.
- The National Women Leader of APC is one of the key and top five (5) members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party (National Chairman, Secretary General, Publicity Secretary, National Women Leader and National Youth Leader) that is more influential than some Ministers. There are no ministries and extra ministerial agencies that the National Women Leader and or any of the top five (5) members of the NWC will go to with a request that will not be given the deserving eminent attention.
- If Hajiya is allowed to be focused as she is now and serves out her tenure as the notable powerful APC National Women Leader and member of the top five (5) NWC because of her charismatic and advantageous connection with the First Lady and the First family, and another Kogite of Kogi east extraction is appointed or the current occupant is reappointed with collaborative synergies, is it not going to be a plus for Kogi State and Kogi East in particular against gaining one and losing another that may result from her being appointed as a Minister?
- Another very critical issue is that of equity and fairness in the distribution and allocation of offices and portfolio in a complex heterogeneous society as ours. A peep at some of the critical positions presently occupied by people of Dekina LGA origins where Hajiya hailed from, reveals the following:
- National Women Leader APC – Hajiya Salamatu Baiwa–Eluma;
- Kogi East Senator Elect – Alhaji Jibrin Isah Echocho;
- Deputy Speaker Kogi State House of Assembly and Member Elect for Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency – Hon. Hassan Baiwa;
- INEC Resident Commissioner Niger State from Kogi State – Professor Sam Egwu;
- Vice – Chancellor, Kogi State University, Anyigba.- Professor M. S. Abdulkadir;
- APC Zonal Chairman, Kogi East – Hon. Ahmedi Attah;
- Member, National Lottery Commission – Alhaji Abubakar Rajab;
- Member, National Railway Corporation Board (NRC) – Hon. Paul Gowon Haruna (IJN);
- Member, Board of Abuja Environmental Protection Agency – Arch. Gabriel Adukwu;
- Current Member representing Dekina/ Bassa Federal constituency – Hon. Benjamin IkaniOkolo;
- SA to the Hon. Minister of State, Labour and employment (Prof. S.I Ocheni) – Hon. Tom Zakari
These are just but few that should be made known to the admirers and promoter of this our Igala Amazon and worthy ambassador. Hajiya herself as a woman that believes in fairness, equity and justice will certainly give opportunity and support Prof Stephen Ikani Ocheni not to only emerge but to also collaborate and synergise to attract the much needed development to Kogi state.
EXPECTATIONS OF KOGI PEOPLE FROM THEIR REPRESENTATIVE IN THE NEXT FEDERAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (FEC):
1. Ibaji oil-well–The new Minister should work with our Senators and Members of House of Representative to ensure that Kogi state is declared as one of the Oil Producing States in Nigeria.
2. Bagana-Abaji Bridge – The Minister should ensure that the abandoned Bagana – Abaji Bridge project by the previous administration is revisited so as to open up Kogi State for more economic and commercial activities for prosperity and development.
3. Lokoja – River Niger dredging–The Minister is expected to lobby and ensure that the abandoned Lokoja – River Niger dredging project which was earlier approved and started by the administration of Late Musa Yaradua but abandoned by the Good Luck Jonathan administration be revisited so as to reap the economic and commercial viability of the project for Kogi state.
4. Ajaokuta Steel Company – The moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company should be revisited so that Kogites and Nigerians can benefit from the hampered economic potential of the project as a result of neglect and abandonment.
5. Idah – Agenebode Bridge – This should be taken up in the next FEC by our next representative so as to open up the area with Edo and other neighbouring states for ease of transportation and economic development.
6. Federal Roads in Kogi State – Obviously, the dilapidated federal roads in Kogi State is unacceptable toKogites and other Nigerians as Kogi State is a gateway to numerous states. The multiplayer effect of fixing the roads is unquantifiable. The Minister is expected to take up this challenge.
7. The worsened poor power supply in Kogi State – The Geregu power plant project should be made to service the good people of Kogi State first before extending same to other states and the FCT. There is the need to ensure that Prepaid Billing meters are made available at affordable rates for the electricity consumers. The Minister is expected to take up this challenge too.
If all these measures and many more are put into consideration by the Kogi State representative in the next Federal Executive Council (FEC), Kogi State has no business being described derogatorily as a “Civil Service State”. In fact, issues of unemployment, underemployment, poverty and insecurity would be naturally addressed, with Kogi Statetaking its pride of place among the comity of economically viable and vibrant states in Nigeria.
God bless Kogi state.
– Dr. Usman Ogbo writes from the ancient city of Anyigba.
