For so long ago, power; especially political leadership has been so influential that people can kill to attain while others can sacrifice anything to earn it. However, it will be wrong for any student of politics especially the Nigerian breed of politics to think that the power and influences of a democratic leadership is designated solely for the elected. Infact, some work behind the scenes pending the actualization of the game of thrones as the only way to cheap and ill gotten wealth in Africa, Nigeria and Kogi state in particular is through political leadership.
While it is very easy to say-the office of a chief of staff to an elected leader at any level is a mere political appointment which the constitution took so unserious that it doesn’t require been screened by legislators unlike ministers, commissioners, advisers and other appointees. One should equally take time to consider the prerequisite criteria and implications that are often considered before appointing a chief of staff.
Whereas the chief of staff should be by duty confined at ensuring the smooth running and coordination of protocol, processes and day to day activities of the government or state house as the case may be, due to trust and administrative pressure; the chief of staff hitherto received the nodding of their principals to air views and take action on some government policies and stewardship. Thus, the origin of scrupulous eye services to impress the office and recipients of chief of staff.
In the light of the foregoing, Kogi state governors’ often choose their best men for the office of chief of staff and because of the unwavering confidence they might have had in those chosen as their chief of staff, political jobbers and those seeking recognition will as a short cut prefer to lobby their ways into government through the chief of staff to the governor and this activities are among other things which make a case to study in “Edward Onoja And The Bait Of Political Recognition Seekers”.
Hon Edward Onoja have been severally accused of been so powerful in the decision makings of Alhaji Yahaya Bello. So much that some people refer to him as the defacto governor while some prefer him as the undesignated deputy governor. But, one one talks about his role and contributions to the emergence of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as the first runner up in the keenly contested APC primary election which was the only justification of Yahaya Bello’s eligibility to be governor of Kogi state in his trio cases at the tribunal, appeal court and supreme Courts challenging his respective substitution and declaration by APC and INEC after the demise of prince Abubakar Audu.
It is rather worrisome and shameful to say the least that appointees who passed through screening at the hallowed chamber of the Kogi state house of Assembly Lokoja before the confirmation of their various appointments will descend so low into bootlicking as widely alleged. If not so, perhaps no on woukd have given listening ear to the exaggerations of the height of the Hon Edward Onoja’s influence in Kogi state. Whether true or false, those who have taken Edward as Idol for their successes and recognition in the Alhaji Yahaya Bello led government of Kogi state are doing more harm than the Edward whom is been taken as the stock of blames.
For the records, it is a natural human instinct to feel pompous when praised and the Edward Onoja has nothing to do about that as those who exalt him are only feeding his ego. The average politician loves to be praised and the most prominent practice at every corridor of power is sycophancy. It is only left to those whom have done inequity to their office to adjust their ideals. In a working polity, those who attack or praise personalities does more harm than a failing government. Government is an immortal institution but human existence is definite with an unchangeable timing.
Whatever the case may be, kogites must all rise above hatred and “paddy-paddy” orientations. Energies should only be geared toward constructive criticism of policies while the praise Lords should channel energy to encouragement of people serving policies instead of the contrary(eye services). The new direction government is majorly made up of youths who involuntarily have social media addiction like their teeming counterparts whom are not very much engaged. Therefore, the social media should be used in moulding the real public opinion about government rather than for misinformed sycophancy and Kogi will be truly great again.
God Bless Kogi State.
Comrade A. M. Nasir writes From Minna, Niger State
naadejohs@gmail.com/ 07068416768
twitter handle: @amnasiru
