Kogi State, ranked 24th out of 36 according to the population data as cited on Wikipedia was created on the 27th August, 1991 during the Babangida’s regime as the military president of Nigeria. It should be noted that the state, a centerpiece shares boundary with many states. She has three major ethnic groups with three (3) senatorial districts. The Kogi East as occupied by the Igalas, West by the Okuns and the Central by the Ebiras.
However, this article is going to be focused on the Central part of the State. The Central which is owned by the Ebiras is known to have produced great personalities namely Alhaji Muhammed Sani Omolori (Clerk, Federal House of Representatives), Justice Ajanah, Mohammed Bello Adoke (Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice), Engr. Joseph Makoju (Former Manager, NEPA), Late Sen. A.T. Ahmed, and other prominent leaders to mention but few. Before I delve into the focus of this paper, I wish to extend my salutary greetings to Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello, the Executive Governor of Kogi State and other dignitary leaders at large.
This paper is meant to draw our attention to the sorry state Kogites are currently into particularly on the present “invisible” political brouhaha going on between the APC and the PDP members in Kogi State House of Assembly. I will point out that the crisis that is ensuing between the two has caused lots of developmental mayhem mostly among the unity of our political consciousness. I also made this to caution the governor to check his political imbalance amongst other politicians in the State.
As you all know, the activities of the president is totally incomplete without the Senate in sight. Same thing is applicable to the Office of the Governor where his State Legislative Arm is not functioning. My resolve is to implore the governor to do all within his power to ensure he settles any difference he might have had with the leadership of the Kogi State of Assembly. I will not fail to commend the office of the Governor in his commitment to restoring peace and order and also for his efforts in the recently concluded screening exercise conducted. I solely believe that the recent turmoil is mostly owed to the party difference and political ideology and agenda as perceived by the governor and the speaker. The G5’s plot to remove the Speaker is crystal clear as APC failed due to being the minority as opposed to PDP whose Membership in the house is 15. The G5 known for supporting Ahmed Umar Imam whom the governor had in mind to become the speaker had deceitfully moved for the impeachment of the current Speaker in person Rt. Hon. Momoh Jimoh Lawal. The court also ruled in favor of the speaker stating the conditions that the minority have no right to impeach against the majority. This is to wake the Governor in tackling serious issues confronting the State instead of his “favoritism” which will hinder the smooth running of the administration.
It is however known that when two elephants fight, the grass suffers. The suffering ones are the masses which have got so many of our youths on engaging in social vices such as thuggery, robbery, killing, drug abuse etc. My candid advice is for the governor and the speaker to settle amicably so that the agendas and manifestos can properly be delivered by their respective offices. The time is too precious to be dragging leadership tussle rather their hands should be on deck as to how they will improve the growth welfare and development of the State.
God Bless Kogi State
God Bless Nigeria
Comrade Abdullahi Hamza
NABAMS (Chief Clerk), KSP Chapter
