Your Excellency Sir,
It is with great respect for your ideals in leadership that I choose to employ this medium to reach out to you on some salient issues bordering Kogi State and it’s Political struggle.
Your Excellency Sir, some of us are unperturbed by unfounded allegations made by opposition against your person and Government, but they are certain areas that actually require your prompt action to further justify the confidence the populace have in you and your Administration.
Your Excellency Sir, we, the people of Kogi State feel so abandoned by your Government. Your presence is not in anyway felt in Kogi State unlike other states of the federation. It is my appeal on behalf of the good people of Kogi State that you see to our pressing challenges as expected of a father-of-all that you are supposed to be.
It is pathetic to know that the last time we knew of your physical presence was at your campaign rally in lokoja, 2015. I’m afraid maybe the next time we may feel your presence again is when you may want to come and appeal to us to cast votes for you against next elections.
How does it feel that we only are needed for vote casting?
Where have we gone wrong that we do not qualify for basic infrastructures to which the federal government is responsible?
As if this is not hurtful enough, your silence on Kogi Political affairs is rather being too loud. Of course, you have always acted within the confines of the law, but nothing stops you from informally addressing any perceived anomaly when there’s one. Nothing stops you from calling key Lleaders of Kogi to order to address some issues that have long shortchanged the rights of the citizens of Kogi State. You rather have remained deliberately silent. We feel this is unfair to us as a people who fought hard to enthrone you.
You gave us your words to sustaining and promoting democracy, but your silence on some democratic issues about Kogi State speaks louder, and of course feels undemocratic.
Your Excellency, I appeal to you once again to make this Job of advocating for you and your ideals and easier one for us. It is becoming difficult by the day that some of the Pro- Buhari no longer can answer key questions put to us by those we have preached your gospel of fairness and integrity to.
I wish to mention few cases that are most likely to slim your chances of winning in Kogi State.
Firstly is the issue of non payment of salaries that has lingered since the beginning of the present Administration in Kogi State. The people feel there’s an obvious conspiracy between the presidency and the state government to impoverish them.
Of course, If I know nothing I know for sure that your Excellency would never involve in such ungodly act. But what do you expect of the people when you have remained silent? Only a word from you to the people of Kogi State will be sure change the narrative, but you rather kept mute on issues that have bordered on the health, lives and well being of Kogi People, especially the civil servants.
Yes, I know it is not within your jurisdiction to sanction an erring governor, but what about the serial jamborees shown by photographs of you and Kogi Governor? Isn’t that an attempt to mock the suffering populace of Kogi State? As they say, “it’s like dancing on the grave of the dead”. Trust me Sir, the people are deeply pained by this, and it may not tell well in your success during vote cast come February elections.
Secondly, the people of Kogi State are no longer in doubts on the neglect they suffer from the center government. What they cannot reconcile is why it is perceived that Kogi Governor is one of your closest allies as far as this present Administration is concerned, and not one visit have you made to Kogi at least to commission one people’s friendly project. Many State whose governors might not be in your best books you have visited on commissioning severally, especially States like Cross River.
Thirdly is the issue of Senator Representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye perpetual prosecution by the Nigeria Police Force. Few days to his recall process he was incarcerated by the Nigeria Police Force, of course on alleged crimes, now general election is around the corner and he’s been detained another time. Does this not look like Dino is becoming a force the Government wants to tame at all cost if they must win election for the ruling party?
Your Excellency Sir, what the public feel is an attempt to silence the opposition. Of what prestige would it be when you do not win election on a clean sheet?
Mr. President Sir, it is my earnest plea that you look into some of these key issues with a view to redressing them as the elections draw nearer. Remember the widely international recognition you enjoy has been a function of your disposition to equity and fairness in your fight against corruption, but this fight has been brought under intense questioning lately. Reason not far fetched.
People are yearning for your intervention to promote democracy. I am not making a case for senator Dino Melaye, of course no one is above the law, but the manner in which this law is enforced is what baffles Nigerians, especially Kogi People.
Imagine a federal government filing a case on behalf of Kogi State Governor’s Chief of Staff against Senator Dino Melaye. Case being that the Senator made false allegations against the person of the Chief of Staff to Kogi state Governor. Isn’t this partisanship taking too far? Aren’t there other relevant issues worth the federal government dealing under the ministry of justice? Should this be worth a case where the federal government should be plaintiff?
Your Excellency may want to look into all these. As the people on the street, we judge from our sense of fairness, and this gives insinuation that Senator Dino Melaye is prosecuted for for being in the opposition. What is Democracy in the absence of oppositions? We need you to prove to us like always by intervening in some of the pressing issues I have mentioned. The international community is watching like you would always say. Don’t let the huge reputation you have built for yourself over the years be thrown for nothing.
Please make real your words on allowing a free and fair electoral process. The Emir Of Kano said and I quote: “Rigging of elections does not only occur during voting process, it is an act that can precede the voting itself and even after the voting”. The incarceration and intimidation of persons in the opposition is nothing but electoral rigging in disguise. When the people have been impressed that it’s a deadly mission coming out to cast votes for the candidates of their choice, and they so choose to stay indoors on the day of voting there by allowing the scavengers have their way where then is the Democracy we clamour for?
Fourthly Sir, day in day out you hear of electoral violence in Kogi State all in the bid to hijack the electoral process. If all these happenings will not be checked by your urgent intervention, I’m afraid the people of Kogi State might not be happy with you.
On the final note, considering the line up of presidential candidates for the February elections, it is clear you are the most qualified in terms of prudence and financial management, but Sir, when all these do not translate to better welfare for the people it could still be job done equals zero.
I hope by this Your Excellency will take prompt actions to address the issues as mentioned, and I equally hope this letter gets to you somehow.
Yours Sincerely,
Attah Bello
A Supporter of Your Reelection.
