Kogi state is in a mess and needs a remedy to bring it back to the path of development. That remedy is a new kind of leadership accompanied by a new type of politics.
As regrettable as Yahaya Bello is the governor of the state now, beside the president of the country, the governor is one of the most important public officers.
January 26, 2016 was a watershed in the history of Kogi state in many respects – the people celebrated the emergence of a youthful governor after the Buhari tsunami that swept the political horizon of the country including Kogi state. The goodwill which greeted the emergence of this youthful governor has given way to despair and a cry for change because of the current resentment at the mention of the name Yahaya Bello.
Today, Kogi state is characterised by poor ratings by key investors and rating agencies the consequences of which are visible in the welfare of employees of the state government and the multiplier effects on businesses and establishments.
Security is compromised, education is poor and trade is handicapped, health care is comatose and human capital development is dead. Peaceful coexistence among tribes died a long time ago no thanks to the bad administration of the APC in the state.
Grave allegations of gross misconduct have been leveled against the governor and key members of his cabinet by independent agencies. These allegations include the use of state power to intimidate citizens who dare to speak truth to power and the subduing of the legislature to toe the line of the executive against the people.
On the pretence of wanting to identify and rid the state civil service of ghost worker, a verification exercise was set up more than three years ago and still on-going with the implication of many workers being owed 6-24 months salaries.
The integrity of not a few state officials and local officials of the APC has been called to question in Kogi state by local and foreign media which caused many party faithful to wonder if the party is still a veritable instrument for championing the leadership ideals of the state founding fathers.
In recognition of the yearnings for a new kind of leadership and social order in Kogi state, it is therefore important for a benchmark to be set. Kogi state shares proximity with the Federal Capital Territory which affluence should be made by the leadership to rub on our people.
While this is a tall order for the current administration which is bereft of ideas, tact, initiation and solutions, concerned children of mother Kogi must ensure that in the next dispensation only the best is good for Kogi.
In a few weeks, another opportunity will be provided for the people to decide the future of the state. Already some individuals have indicated interest in managing the affairs of the state in the next dispensation but quite a few tend to understand the pressing needs of Kogi state. Many say they will build roads, some want to tap the agricultural potentials of the state, others just want to attain a level of significance using the gubernatorial elections as a launch pad. As interesting as most of these promises may seem something is lacking and that is the understanding of the basic needs of Kogi state.
– Moses Abdulrahman Yusuf, a journalist, writes from Dekina.
Email: abdulrahmanyusuf153@gmail.com.
Phone/WhatsApp: 08031518422.
