This piece is necessitated by posterity. At least, no one will be ignorant of the pestilence that would soon befall. Also, an impression that we were helpless as at the time will be out of context.
I will go straight to the point. I am appalled by the chronology of events oozing from the political sphere; how we U-turned for a product in which high sided effects is a verified detriment. It’s also baffling that we have forgotten the pains of yesterday, the desolations of insensitive measure as well as moral, mental and social squalor. How did it happen? Who did this to us? And how can we be so daft to Emperor Yahaya Bello’s invidious tactics?
2017/18 was indelibly the most epileptic year in the history of Kogi state, especially for the civil servants. There were deep insolvencies, those exposed to the scrolling hunger were seen gnashing their teeth even as they watch their loved ones grabbed by the cold hands of death. We also witnessed inimical but sycophantic policies that brought several killings and vandalization of properties. We saw how affairs of common patrimony were politicized, and the interest of the generality traded for that of few in the position of authority. We saw total negligence and absolute foot-dragging in the affairs of governance, tyranny, and totalitarianism in the much-endeared democracy and to worsen the entirety, we saw a sales-mark on our dear Kogi state. If you are a Kogite and the wave doesn’t affect you directly, it does so indirectly, except your close/distance kinsfolks don’t reside in the state.
But, though we were helpless, our mind was made up somehow, to judiciously utilize the opportunity we have. Many of us had sworn an oath that the initiator will not be voted again. In fact, I have heard Christians saying affliction shall not arise the second time. Even the Muslim faithful chanted A’uzubillahi minashaitanir Rajim- I seek protection from this evil. Some (self) respected royal fathers known for rare utterances were not left out as some of them cast spells. I personally cursed the day they were voted into power and sworn against my faith that I will not vote them again.
However, it seems everything is progressively declining. In short, we are disjointed in our determination. The royal fathers had compromised, even some folks had threatened to kill anyone who stands on their ways. And on a daily basis, the tenacity of this government sailing back to power becomes more obvious. Again I ask, who did this to us?
The royal fathers were the first to devour their thrones by allowing themselves to be decoyed into embarking on a reprehensible trip to Abuja where Mr. President has to be convinced about endorsing Bello.
The second group of people were the students under-thought due to the absence of qualified lecturers. I was told recently that the most prestigious university KSU does not have up to ten professors, as the governor is said to have disengaged them in the process of asking for their entitlements and employed fresh graduates into the teaching segment.
Third in the league is the political office holders (the recently elected leaders). Although I am not astounded by their unflinching stance because they were hauled into office through the back door, perhaps it was perfected plans to smoothly ride Bello on the bank of violent to power. Still yet, if I must be fair, this trend actually characterizes Nigeria’s political system. But the cognitive fact is, it’s important Kogites know that the grooming government has no semblance of common man’s interest at heart. Their future obligation will be Bello’s impulses.
The fourth groups are the NGOs, Political/social organizations, religious bodies, etc. Quite interesting, theirs is borne out of financial inducement just like the royal fathers. They are those that Yahaya Bello or General Edward Onoja has either visited or pledged certain donations. They hide under religious claims to indoctrinate fallacies in a seemed realistic manner. I have since left their case for God to handle.Last but not the least are the elites, the self-acclaimed comrades and the glorified android/data e-kids. Among these people is the manifestation of Professor Lumumba’s famous quote “Africans are not moved by ideas, their stomach lead them”. They are the half-baked school leavers who were inculcated the necessity of morality in human affairs but deemed it less because of greed. Check them, they are the pay-per-tirade/praise workforces on Bello/Edward Onoja’s payroll. They are on social media posting non-existing projects of Bello and making the world believed he is the best.
You see, the beautiful nonsense about Igala youths in this regard is, unlike a true Igala with characterized constructive criticism charisma, they ambiguously drum support for a certified failure (Yahaya Bello) at the expense of the projected future Kogi state that favors all. Not that they are not aware of the inference or don’t live in Kogi state but because of greed and self-conceit. I am ashamed of our youths and pained by how we seem meddling with the future. Again, Bello is a certified failure and we shouldn’t compromise in putting that to him. Besides, voting such a person back to power in view of the prevailing predicament is disastrous, it presages unmitigated dilemma to the general extant interest.
Just a few days ago, arguments ensued on ‘why Igala wants Bello out’. Those for the motion backed up their reasons with the genuine Igala described above- blunt and constructive criticism charisma. But those against the motion especially one of the com-raids whose name (Kogi Rebel) best describes his flawed characters countered the sacred opinion with best-fit fallacies sold directly from the pit of hell.
First was the purported road constructions which according to him were either commissioned or at the verge of completion. I couldn’t have imagined anything less from such a fellow, in fact, it doesn’t come as a surprise at all. Why? Because, by virtue of 30-second calls from Edward Onoja, allegiance is been pledged, and by the glance of a 50k or 20k alerts (depending on your ability) morality is sold. Where in Ankpa township was a road renovated? If there are two Umomi Idah road, please accept my candid apologies, but if it’s the Umomi Idah road I used about a week ago, Kogi Rebel and everyone spinning Kogites with this should bury their faces in shame. Nothing of such had happened, not even a sign that contractors would commence work soon on that road or every other place mentioned by Kogi Rebel.
Why are we deceiving ourselves? Why do people delights in advocating the negative? Are these projects of Yahaya existing in the skies? Has anyone noticed this that, if actually there are completed/ongoing projects, President Muhammadu Buhari would have been in the state to commission one? The last time I checked, Mr. President only came to the state for a rally that almost took his life.
So why is the entire affair politicized? Why are we abetting Bello amidst impending chaos, and instead of ensuring he and Edward Onoja answer the call of justice? Take a look at the LG employees protesting nonpayment of salaries, Bello to us it was sponsored by the opposition. But in the actual sense, these people were not paid. As a matter of fact, they are been owed up to 2 or 3 years. A source in the know confided recently that the state government is demanding for N30 million from each LG. What for? Are the LGs owing the state even in the absence of its autonomy? Where are the N210 million monthly deductions for which Edward Onoja has his phone number activated on all the LG accounts?
Again, I weep for my dear state. Because, by whatever providence, we can change the narrative, but like a lamp giving light to the surrounding except it’s under, we are not seeing the golden opportunities. Where in the world would a certified failure like Yahaya Bello be giving the second chance? To do what? Kill the civil servants and sell off Kogi’s asset or elevating his pocket the more?
The old and incompetent fellows who, in the course of governing the state had, somehow, stripped us of possible attorney for questioning further Bello’s mundane attitudes are gallivanting to return to Lugard house. What is Wada looking for after four sluggish years? And what is Ibro’s son asking for after nine uninterrupted but useless years of his father? What did they forget in the Lugard House that they want to return to pick? Of what importance is this dynasty to the impending challenges? They have, in their endless but greedy quest, succeeded in tearing PDP apart. With the existing supremacy tussle- party divided into factions, and with Amodu Ali, Wada as well as Ibro each holding firm his faction, not forgetting aspirants’ indisposition to relinquishing for one another, I doubt if the light won’t be extinguished.
However, I am yet to tame with what the end may bring but anyone seeking election on PDP’s platform should have a rethink, because, from all indications, Ibro and his son in law had turned the party into private their entities. And it’s the same youths who are cooking up their image, even the few persons like Austin Anibe Otene that I almost trusted with lawmaking responsibility has disappointed me. Look, everyone can support Wada but certainly not Austin. Unless governance is now a frolicking avenue. Wada claimed he gave a hundred percent autonomy to the LGs and he never touches their funds. Okay, but what was the state of affairs of the LGs in view of grass-root development under his watch? I bet you if at all he is been sincere, something is then wrong somewhere and the LG chairmen during his tenure must be arrested and questioned. Moreover, as far as I am concerned the grass-root under his watch was in shambles.
One baffling thing about Kogi and its leaders is how they go to the helm of affairs, steal as much as they can and still move freely on the street without being questioned for graft. Has anything been remoted through powers that be? The answer is flying in the sky.
Fellow Kogites, a spade should be regarded as one. Hence, Yahaya Bello and all the thieves we have tested should be allowed to face EFCC’s wrath. What we witnessed in the last three years is not yet a lax attitude, it’s not genuine economic hardship which could make difficult, the process of governance, its man’s inhumanity to man.
We will meet again.
– John Paul
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