In every rumour, as it is often said, there is an iota of truth. It was reported widely in Kogi state that the ex-Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Usman Jibrin (rtd) was attacked by unknown persons in connection to the forthcoming Kogi gubernatorial election.
I have been bombarded with call and messages to confirm or deny the report. It got to the point that I had to power off my phones due to various calls – calls without respect for odd hours despite the fact that I am a married man, though some called with apology with the spirit of inquisitiveness to ascertain the authenticity of the rumour in vogue.
Though I don’t hold brief for Usman Jibrin but my ever ready pen will not hesitate to communicate my own view regarding the affairs of my state, as usual.
There are things that are unthinkable. That hoodlums will have the effrontery to attack a former Service Chief is an aberration but here we are, Alex Badeh, the former Chief of Defence Staff, a four star General was murdered by yet to be identified gunmen. God forbid, but come to think of it, the rumor again demonstrated the fact that in Kogi state, under this government, impossible is possible. That reminds me the experience of the serving senators like Senators Dino Melaye and Ahmed Ogembe in the hands of Governor Yahaya Bello. He did not spare former Governor Alhaji Ibrahim Idris Ibro who served the state as governor for nine years as he was stopped from entering Kogi state during the last general elections. This goes to show that anything is possible in Kogi state, hence, the rumour instead of waving it aside should be properly investigated by the appropriate authorities. At times, government sponsor rumours to access the feedback before implementing some agenda.
While I am calling on the authority to investigate the source of such rumour which is too heavy for some of us to wave aside, I still believe with the incumbent Governor Yahaya Bello still very much interested in the coming election, no one is safe working in isolation. Therefore, it is very important that all the genuine aspirants should establish a very strong and reliable communication channels among themselves to tackle the pending danger. Aspirants not being sponsored by Governor Yahaya Bello himself and other opposing persona are in danger.
Before nor, I have raised alarm on the plot to kill me by some agents of Kogi state government before the coming election in Kogi state. I therefore deem it necessary to counsel and warn that Admiral Usman Jibrin, Professor Seidu Mohammed Onailo, Abubakar Ibrahim Idris, Mohammed Audu, Hon Zakari Alfa, Barr. Babatunde Irukera, Senator Dino Melaye, Capt Idris Wada, Gen Patrick Akpa, Dr Omede Idris, Sani Lulu, Natasha Akpoti and others are not safe, judging from my own experience and previous occurrences in Kogi state.
Kogi state, under Alhaji Yahaya Bello, is no doubt one of the worst state in Nigeria especially when development indices are concerned. Kogi state is at its lowest ebb in areas of education and manpower development and has produced many men and women that have made Nigeria proud in different areas of endeavour – Legends like Sunday Bolorunduro Awoniyi, CON, Dr. Stephen Makoji Achema, Dr A.T Ahmed, Dr Ahmodu Ali, Sr PS Achimugu, Arch. Gabriel Aduku, Dr Alex Kadir, Hajia Salamatu Baiwa, Prof Francis Idachaba, Prof, Gabriel Oyibo, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim SAN and my own father, Mr Francis Yahaya Usman, one of the dedicated teachers Our lady of Schools Anyigba can ever proud of, among many others.
The state boasts of innumerable manpower in any field of endeavour one can imagine. Even in the areas of commerce and industry, the people of Kogi state have so far distinguished themselves. In fact, the people are politically enlightened to the point that they should be able to confront moneybags and reduce them to naught in any election where politics should be play accordingly, but not in the presence of guns, matchets and other weapons at the becks and call of the state sponsored bad boys on the prowls currently.
With this, Kogites can’t determine their leader, especially in the coming election, unless Alhaji Yahaya Bello is deprived of access to his well funded machinery for political violence. The government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello keep on assembling the bad boys, executes indoctrination and incite them against whoever is perceived an opponent. The bad boys enjoy the backing of the state security architecture, expensive cars are bought for these boys, the government build house for some of them, married wives for some, while others are on weekly allowances and some free hotel accommodation accompanied by sumptous meals.
Men of Special Anti-Robbery Squad and some men of military uniform has been seen demonstrating bias in compromised manner in Kogi state. They readily go after those perceived to be strongly opposed to the government in power in Kogi state, while insecurity has become the order of the day. Kidnappers are roaming on the street freely while political opponents sleep with one eye closed. With guns in bad boys’ hands, no one is safe in Kogi state. Anyigba is now the center of all kinds of atrocities and palpable fear occasioned by unprecedented level of insecurity.
It is now the duty of AIG Zone 8, Kogi state commissioner of Police, state Director Department of State Security Services to ensure the safety every Kogite ahead of the November 16 governorship elections. Barr. Babatunde Irukera was recently threatened by the same bad force in Kogi state. Barrister Irukera, a personal friend of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was not spare of the threats and now a retired military service chief, what is Kogi state turning into?
– Usman Okai Austin, a social critic and youth leader, writes from Abuja.
