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Among the Owe speakers of Kabba, there is a popular saying that “we be ti fe aditi ngbo oro ara re, wa ho l’oju omo re” (if you want a deaf to hear a message about him/herself, you pass the message through his/her child.)
I chose this platform to write His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Governor of Kogi State, for obvious reasons.
The Speaker of the Kogi House of Assembly and all members of the House, who have been elected to make laws for the good governance of our dear state, are also virtually present here.
His Excellency sir, in the last few days, I have received reports that I must quickly bring to your attention for quick intervention.
These reports centred on the spate of abduction, arrest, harassment and incarceration of your perceived or known critics.
The latest victim of this gestapo-like arrest and incarceration is the former zonal vice-chairman of PDP in Kogi West, Alhaji Mohammed Barga.
Information currently available alleged that Barga made a public criticism of your leadership style after the Jummat prayers at a Mosque not far from the Lugard House, Lokoja.
Pronto, he was heckled and packaged to an alleged “Detention Centre” said to be around the Lugard House on the alleged orders of CSP Mohammed Sani Mohammed, Commanding Officer, 37 PMF Squadron, Lokoja.
I used the word “around” because I refused to accept that any governor will create an illegal detention center within the confines of a Government House. That will be reckless to say the least.
Unconfirmed reports further alleged that Barga, who has not been located in any Police Station in Kogi State, has been kept since Friday.
His Excellency, I do not subscribe to the belief that you are aware of this act or that such actions, said to be the order of the day, bore your signatures. That will be an assumption taken too far by an ordinary citizen like me.
However as the governor and the father of every Kogite, you have a responsibility not only to protect the rights of every citizen but to guarantee their freedom and safety.
His Excellency, you do not need a lecture on what good governance entails but it has become imperative to state that abduction, arrest, harassment, incarceration and all forms of totalitarianism are not ingredients for governance correctness.
The issues of screening, non-payment of salaries, pensions and other emoluments are drawbacks needing urgent attention.
If you are able to resolve them in favour of majority of Kogi workers as well as pensioners and make the people happy, you will not need hecklers in whatever forms.
The people, I mean the market women, the labourers, the school children and their teachers, will march upon your critics or opponents.
But as long as our parents, brothers and sisters are wailing over unpaid dues, abductions, arrests, detentions etc will remain stick measures that can not win the hearts of Kogites in your favour.
I pray for you, His Excellency, particularly at this Season of Lent, that the Almighty will grant you the heart and strength to ignore distractions and concentrate on real issues of governance.
I urge GYB to order the immediate release of Barga as well as others who have been similarly arrested and incarcerated for criticising the leadership style of Mr Governor.
I also urge good spirited and kind hearted Kogites to join me in calling for the unconditional release of Barga and Others.
May God guide our leaders right through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
– Hon. Kola Ologbondiyan
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