Just like the saying which goes thus – “an animal will not know the value of it tail until it’s cut off”. Governor Yahaya Bello actually represents a specimen for several call and agitation. This ranges from Zonal to generational power shift as the Okun/Ebira ethnic groups as well as the youth populace of the state has overtime clamoured to govern the state. Whether or not anybody likes it; governor Yahaya Bello has been x-rayed by the good people of Kogi state and his administration has shown the very best and worst he can offer the state if his so far, eight months of new direction government is critically examined.
Although his emergence never occurred as one which was so envisaged or unanimously endorsed by the good people of Kogi state, the reckless I know it all attitude of the attorney general of the federation in collaboration with INEC following the demise of prince Abubakar Audu at the midway of Kogi governorship election which held November/December last year laid to rest the agitation by youths to govern and power shift clamour of the Ebira/Okun ethnics of this state owing to the fact that governor Yahaya Bello whom was chaotically picked as the late Audu’s replacement as APC flag bearer is an acclaimed Ebira man of youthful age.
But, little could any heart have imagined the level of untold hardship, hunger, insecurity and abysmal immoralities that has since taken over the state since the emergence of this youthful governor. May I buttress further by saying whatever surfaces under a government, be it good or bad is to the credit of that governor. Hence, there is no exoneration for the new direction government which ordinarily seem to be the greatest political mishap that has happened to Kogi state since her creation in 1992.
Kogi which was once known for peace and tranquility amidst its ethnic and religious diversities is now an unambiguous crime haven under this current government as crime rate maintains steady but negative progression. It started like a joke in form of kidnapping, petty stealing and now human killings have become the order of the day in most semi urban parts of the state. When a joint security task force was set up to curtail this inhuman developments, it came to me as a bold step but it is pathetic and very disgusting to say, the situation keeps getting worse in spite of the huge tax payers money extended on the purchase of surveillance vehicle as well as other unavoidable logistics such as fueling, stipend and the welfare of the security personnel.
Apart from security challenges, citizens welfare is very poor, hunger is rampant, there are no traces of underway developmental agenda for the state and the average Kogite now lives a bird life. All hopes of sustainability is left to God and day break as a result of non expectancy of salaries and wages. No youth empowerment scheme to augment youth restiveness and the civil servants have tagged their alerts as media alert which it’s only reality is the online posts and news of government praise singers.
Recalling how the immediate past governor of the state, His Excellency Capt Idris Ichala Wada’s administration was ridiculed through myopic, self serving and public misinforming propagandas to score cheap political points against him at the heal of election despite his unrivalled elimination of thuggery in the state, commitment to civil servants welfare, accountable leadership, transparent steward and all encompassing government as evident in his leniency to extreme critics. I cannot but say – “Governor Yahaya Bello Is God Sent To Kogi State” as his administration has brought to light the many good of Capt Wada as well as previously condemned administrations in the state.
Moreover, the records are even visible to the blind and audible to the deaf. What a pity? God, please have mercy Kogi state.
Unarguably, almost every home in the state has made it a daily prayer point for the supreme Court judgement on the much speculated ongoing governorship petition cases not to go in favour of Governor Bello and God will answer the prayers in due course. Remember~the voice of the people is the voice of God. Whereas the popular wish of the people is a reinstatement of the God fearing Capt, Idris Ichala Wada; many quarters within the ruling All Progressive Congress are wishing for a fresh primary elections in the event that the supreme Court opts for a fresh election rather than reinstating Capt Wada and this is enough to show how unimaginable the extent of the serving governor’s unpopularity is even within his home(party).
By and large, Kogi is a state known for peace, I call on my fellow citizens (indigenous and residential) to uphold peace and avoid been constituted into objects of mayhem by insensitive blood tasty scrupulous element within and outside the state as the supreme Court is gradually closing the cases before it. We have had good perseverance in the face of untold hardship over the last eight months, let’s round it up in peace that history will be kind to our chronicles. Kogi is for all of us and we must rise at all time for the collective good and common goals which are in tandem with the labour and dream of our founding fathers.
Comrade A. M. Nasir
twitter handle: @Naadejohs
