The political issues in Kogi state that has led to backwardness and high level of under development, when compared with other states in Nigeria, was created by we Kogite, most especially my esteemed brothers from Kogi East.
We seem not to mind about good governance but we care more about which senatorial district the person came from, the tribe and probably the local government area, forgetting that all these are probably the last to consider when chosing a leader that will make the people his/her priority.
I still remember vividly at Lokoja when most Igalas will beat their chest and tell it to my very face that they are the owner of Kogi state and others are slaves, and that they could do anything whatsoever with Kogi state and no chicken would raise its feather. These statements always irritate me to the marrow but I have nothing to do but to say ‘Power Belongs to God. But they blindly reply by telling me God has no choice than to give them because they have all it takes to be there forever.
In 2007, when Senator Mohammed Ohiare was robbed of his victory while in ACN against former Governor Ibrahim Idris (Ibro) of PDP, the election was nullified and a by-election was conducted. I was surprised when I saw Ohiare’s image with Audu as the gubernatorial candidate. My igala brothers laughed so excitedly and made mockery of the Ebiras saying ‘we will not support power shift until everyone in Igala land including mad ones have ruled and are satisfied.
But when God decided to put smiles on the faces of the so-called minority, the acclaimed majority were so surprised and couldn’t believe their ears as their eyes were filled with tears while the others giggled and mock in return.
To me, I thought the power shift will turn things around but lo and behold, things still remain as they were and already beginning to take an abysmal shape.
Most Kogites are not happy, even those from Kogi Central, except the few in the governor’s good book. But it seems like we have not really realized and learn from our mistakes. Instead of us to be praying and searching for, in one accord, that person that will liberate our dear state from dismal governance, we are busy throwing insults on each other on social media platforms because the governor is not an Igala from the East (majority) while the Ebiras lined up behind the governor because he is from their area, despite all their pains. The Okuns are also behind Senator Dino Melaye and Barr. Tunde Irukera who happen to be their own. When our mumu end for God sake?
Some are busy calling God to help remove Governor Yahaya Bello and put their own son so that you can be boosting saying ‘na my brother dey there’, even with suffering!
The plain truth is that Kogi state will only succeed when we all put behind our differences and come together as one to build our dear state. Divided we fall and united we stand.
God bless our dear Kogi state.
– Isaiah O. Joseph wrote from Abuja.
