A leader who betrays the people ONCE, he or she should be blamed. The reverse is the case, when a leader disappoints the masses TWICE, its the people’s fault.Now is the time to set destructive partisanship aside – so destructive- and find the courage to answer hatred and betrayal of trust with unity, devotion and love.
In politics we are recognised by our past whether in achievements or hardship. In the month gearing up to November gubernatorial election in Kogi State, we already heard broken promises, unmet expectations and general dissolution. These are ingredients fanning embers of war, discord, mass killing, summary execution, unlawful arrest, via recycled thugs, disciples-fake police, soldier, wolf in sheep cloths-demonstration of craze rather than democracy in the next election just to retain power.I give the blood of Jesus Christ to every pocket of trouble , office of mischief makers planning to cause civil unrest or mayhem in the forthcoming elections in Kogi State
Without the assistance of rocket science, the expression of betrayal of trust started on 11 March 2016 few hours into the Yaya Bello led administration , the first executive order was roundabouts (some predating colonial era) in the State capital such as Kogi Circle Roundabout, NTA Roundabout, Paparanda Square, Welcome to Lokoja Roundabout, Ganaja amongst others were demolished. Every roundabout marked with a monument or architectural masterpiece to serve as tourist attraction, beautify the landscape and ease the flow of traffic were levelled to the chagrin of inhabitants of Lokoja Metropolis. This is where the ever growing seed of hatred, wickedness and betrayal was sown with no enough appetite to eat the fruit till today.
The betrayal we are all living witness today begins with the demolition of public structures, iconic relics, and monuments of architectural masterpiece erected with public fund and consent by heroes of the past. The destruction heralded the regime of disestablishmentarian political trajectory in Kogi State down the lane of non-payment of workers salaries pension for over 32 months.It is only in Kogi State Payment of workers Salary and Pension is considered as an achievement and celebrated widely by the ones privileged to receive bank alert. Because it is a perennial thing not monthly !
Politic is a battle of ideas. It is not a physical or destructive one aiming at human lives and property. The kind of politics in practice since the inception of the present administration fans tensions before initiating policy, increase conflict during execution and reactive instead of pre-emptive on issue that bothers the people which drives is us further apart. Discord and hatred are dissolving out communal bonds and endangering the duty or social responsibilities we feel towards one another.
A political candidate’s character and identity continues to hinge on potential achievement in building stronger societies not a destructive one.The fact a leader is educated does not mean he or she is civilized, we need a leader who has a formidable combination of both. We need a leader who knows love, think clearly and can act it.Because, our world is moving from politics of division, ethnicity, hatred, to a civilized order where character , integrity , personality are key to clinching leadership position. The first requirement is that we care; about one another , about politics ; free and fair election and work together for the benefit of everyone irrespective of party differences.
There is nothing that makes a mockery of law, logic, common sense and elementary decency than a leader who have lost his or her mind to the wind. A leader who lose its mind in the practical policy of putting first thing first is bankrupt, bereft of ideas. Funny enough such a leader always think of how to accumulate more riches and how not to lose what they already have to those out to cheat them, if any. For this reason many of such leaders are always suspicious of people around them, seeing everyone as a cheat.
The audacity of hope demands we imitate the heroes of the past, protect our common patrimony in principle and practice. And live deepest political commitment, Irrespective of political affiliation, where one is weak, the other is strong , you lean on me I lean you. Besides where some have sown hatred, destruction or betrayal of trust , it is time to sow love, Vote love , protect your love for profitable human, physical and infrastructural project capable of addressing the primary needs of the people and strengthen confidence in everyone to go to bed with two eyes close. This is where a leader begins to succeed with his or her lives ,not when the pains and hurts of poorest of the poor who brought you to power does not matter to you. These are the standard we should emulate and not to go back to the medieval moment in time that can never serve us well in modern world.
– Inah Stephen writes from Ajaka
