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Once upon a time, Okun people because of education held sway in politics until the creation of Kogi State changed our fortunes and the children of butchers sadly began scrambling for bones.
The journey on the path to political nadir commenced as soon as self centered individuals gained prominence in leadership positions. This love for self that places collective interests at a lower pedestal of priorities has been the bane of meaningful development in Okunland. Apart from a few whose aspiration for political leadership is based on a genuine desire to serve and improve the lot of the people, majority of the charlatans parading as leaders presently are nothing but a congregation of selfish and conceited wannabes in search of political redemption and economic rehabilitation.
Every election period brings to the fore, the shallow mindset of these political merchants whose lack of integrity and shame is not only disturbing but nauseating.
The lack of foresight became apparent as soon as Okun people were conscripted into the contraption later named Kogi State.
While in Kara State, Okun people remained the fulcrum on which governance turned but on getting to Kogi State, we ineptly took a backstage and became tools of manipulation in the hands of our co-travellers.
Okun leaders became complacent and were always in an acrimonious race to play second or third fiddle whenever it is time to vie for political offices; elective or appointive.
Okun people unlike what we had in the past morphed into a race of snakes whose lack of unity made then prey for all and sundry.
It is a fact that every action and reaction in politics is about interests which in most cases is centered on self against collective benefits especially among Okun leaders.
Okunland is now the main political laboratory where all manners of experiments are carried and our people; leaders and the led voluntarily march in offering to be guinea pigs. What group of acclaimed enlightened people does that?
Inordinate ambition wrapped in greed has deprived most of ‘these leaders of the ability to think and see beyond now.
Majority of the led and followers for so many reasons have exhausted the ability of cognitive reasoning. There is pandemic poverty of the mind because of empty pockets and stomachs. The core virtues and values Okun people are known for have been trashed and replaced with indiscretions and inappropriate traits/conducts that one is forced to ask; how did we arrive at this crossroads?
In politics, it is now a game of rotating chairs in a muddled atmosphere that gives little or no chance to the youth to aspire let alone succeed in quests for political offices.
Power shift was manipulated even when the death of Late Prince Abubakar Audu made it possible in 2015. Okunland lost out because of the greed and shallow mindedness of a few.
Recall of a legislator that has not succeeded in Nigeria’s political interest was tested in Okunland with some political leaders used as instigators, purveyors and implementors. That failed.
As 2019 approaches, a systemic imposition of leaders was perpetrated by forces outside Okunland though accomplished with the connivance of in-house taskmasters contrary to the wishes and aspirations of the people.
Unfortunately, the repercussion is a land endowed with abundant human and natural resources but plagued with inept, selfish and callous leaders who are resolute to put the people they claim to lead in perpetual subjugation.
If these presumptuous leaders insist their interests are above the collective wellbeing of the people, then its about time they are shown that power truly belongs to the people; afterall, we still profess to be in a democracy.
Yes, there are some with monarchical inclinations who foolishly believe otherwise, the 2019 election will provide another opportunity to tell them, we are not guinea pigs if their selfish and inordinate ambition make them cavies.
– Posi Botun
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