That Governor Yahaya Bello is giving youths a bad name in Kogi politics is an understatement. It is common to hear people arguing that youths are no good for governance.
From outright falsehoods to puppy-style photo-ops to obvious lack of capacity and other immature tendencies displayed so far by Kogi governor, it is fast becoming a herculean task for another youth to get Kogi peoples’ confidence in future elections.
I want to beg Kogi elders to count Yahaya Bello out of us, the youths. He is not a true representation of our vision, abilities and leadership potentials. He is a straying youth and majority of Kogi youths are not in support of his numerous shortcomings.
Yahaya Bello is just 41 and that age should be ideal for good leadership and sound governance. Kogi elders should not write us off yet, please give us another chance come October 2019 to present a humane, God-fearing, humble, forthright and visionary young leader. We will not disappoint you.
Former governor Donald Duke of Cross River state was born in 1961 and he became governor in 1999 at the age of 38! He has a record of good performance while in office. Much younger than our analogue governor (his hirelings call him digital governor). Our dearly beloved late Prince Abubakar Audu was born in 1947 and he became the first executive governor of Kogi state in 1992 at the age of 45. His enviable projects are still unrivaled in the state!
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso became governor of Kano state in 1999 at 43, Joshua Chibi Dariye became governor of Plateau state at 42, Senate President Bukola Saraki was 41 years old when he became governor of Kwara state. Rev. Jolly Nyame of Taraba state became governor at 37 in 1992, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani became a celebrate governor of Enugu state at 39, Peter Obi was barely 45 when he became governor of Anambra state while Orji Uzor Kalu was 39 when he became governor of Abia state. These are young governors that performed creditably as governors of their respective states at young age. I deliberately omitted other former governors like James Ibori for obvious reasons.
The examples I presented are recent case studies to show that being young is not an excuse for failure in leadership. The first and second republics saw under-30 politicians emerging and serving meritoriously as state governors across Nigeria.
Even the blind among Kogi youths today will readily dissociate themselves from the failings of Yahaya Bello and I want to make it clear to all and sundry that Yahaya Bello is not representing Kogi youths.
We are determined to redeem our image come 2019 and we appeal to Kogi elders to give us another chance.
Thank you.
– Titi Balogun writes from Lokoja.
