The Kogi state gubernatorial election has come and gone, leaving the winners rejoicing with songs of victory on their lips, while those who lost out have continued to brood and lick their wound of defeat. The rigorous primary elections of the political parties, the calculations and maneuvering, the tireless campaigns through the length and breadth of the state and the mudslinging and not too palatable languages and political alignment and re-alignment all defines the unique pattern of the politics of the confluence state. Although we have once again witnessed the most eventful and memorable gubernatorial election in the history of Nigeria, which saw the unfortunate death of a leading candidate just when votes were being collated, a political party had to substitute their late candidate with another which didn’t happen without its own politicking and bitterness, the reality of things as it stands today is that Kogi state has a new governor elect.
It is on record that Okun people of the Western senatorial district of the state had before now remain united and enjoyed elastic and robust relationship with the Ebira dominated central senatorial district, the two zones of the state which were at the forefront of power shift at the height of developmental marginalization and political exclusion in the state. However, the tension created between these two district as a result of the constitutional vacuum created and the need to make a replacement for a death candidate isn’t unexpected considering an old African proverb which says “when a stone is thrown in the market, everyone covers his/her own head”. The Okuns where only covering their own head by agitating that their son who was the running mate to late prince Audu be given the opportunity to replace him, even against the guideline of INEC or any known law.
Now that the storm is gradually getting over and the wounds created and inflicted are slowly healing up, there’s the need for the former political close allies and brothers in the struggle for power shift to learn to forgive and forget the acrimony and unnecessary enmity that was occasioned by the gubernatorial election in the state and close ranks in the overall interest of the state and its inhabitants. The sentiment that has been expressed by certain people and groups in the Igala dominated eastern senatorial districts of the state isn’t only understandable but also expected.
Watching something of value helplessly slip away from your hands even when you have all it really takes to retain it for as long as you wish can be traumatizing and emotionally regrettable. Our Igala brethren should find solace in the fact that nothing happens without the knowledge of God and when he says yes, no one can dare say no.
As an advocate of the rule of law and freedom of expression, I encourage Hon. Abiodun Faleke to continue to pursue his case in the law court to a logical conclusion, at least if not for anything, doing so will strengthen our nascent democracy and prevent unnecessary tension and chaos when the Kogi state scenario repeats itself elsewhere in the future. However, all forms of demonstrations and protests anywhere in the state should be avoided at this time in line with common sense and in the interest of peace in our dear state. Every agitation and protest should be channeled through the law court so as not to further heat up the already charged and tensed atmosphere in the confluence state.
Now that a governor has emerged and is expected to be sworn in on 27th January 2016, there is the need for all hands to be on deck and all warring and aggrieved to sheath their sword and join hands with the new governor for the overall peace and development of all nooks and corners of the entire state, regardless of tribal, ethnic, religious or political differences. Power belongs to God and he gives it to whoever he pleases. This should be the guiding watchword to all political gladiators in the state.
To the incoming Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, every opportunity entails responsibility. It is not by his power, wisdom or might but by the divine grace of God who has picked him to lead the state at this trying and very difficult times of economic recession. The battles and task ahead are enormous, the wisdom of Solomon won’t even be enough to paddle and row through the ‘river’ of backlog of arrears of worker’s salary, massive infrastructural decay, dieing state institutions, political tension and ethnic acrimony across the state and alarming rate of youth idleness and unemployment in the state amidst dwindling revenue accruable to the state from the federation account. Hence, the need for him to run an open door policy of all-inclusive government to allow others make inputs and intellectual contribution. The time to extend an olive branch and a hand of friendship to his political opponents within and outside the APC is now. Kogi is in the hands of God, we are all winners!!!
– Hussain Obaro
oseniobaro@yahoo.com
