The story sorrounding the loss of political capital by ex-Kogi governor, Ibrahim Idris is a misleading epitaph. Rather than dwelling on facts about how he thrives amidst political downturn, the writer went ahead to force down an idea that does not conform with the current political dispensation.
Let me be conspicuous to say that Alhaji Ibrahin Idris was already a political gladiator, not only in Kogi East but the entire state, through his noiseless efforts and contributions to socio-cultural, economic and community development of the state before the nation’s return to democracy in 1999 through provision of gainful employment. The records are there for people to access.
The former governor was the rallying point and symbol of courage and successes recorded, particularly during the quest to wrestle power from the then ruling party in Kogi, the All Peoples Party (APP), such that its removal was so formidable and unattainable during the early years after return to democracy in Kogi state. So, I don’t know what the writer is talking about?
It was Alhaji Ibrahim Idris who mustered the courage and political will that ginger through age long political rivalry between the two warring dominant parties in Kogi to fruition. The records are there in the public domain as one of the early politician that uprooted a vibrant ruling party in Nigeria with unbreakable records.
As we write, all those mentioned as political gladiators in Kogi still regard former Kogi governor, Ibrahim Idris as there rallying point as far as Kogi politics is concerned. So, I don’t where the paraphrase of ‘Little Known’ was coined.
Ibro by his acronym was already a known national figure before delving into the political landscape of Kogi. As it was difficult to wrestle power by the then ruling PDP at the national level, it was his determination and assurance to curry victory that led to his election as the party’s candidate.
Truly, the use of the term ‘dark horse’ may be misconstrued by the writer. But at that point in time, prominent Okun leaders, Igala speaking people and the Ebiras were regarded as ‘dark horses’, not for anything but because PDP was alien to their imagination and not former governor, Ibrahim Idris.
Idris was a leader who believed strongly in equitable distribution of appointments, positions and infrastructural development, so much so that he was nick named by the people of Kogi East as ‘Equity Governor’. Whenever he spoke at every public fora then, equity was his watchword. Good and sincere record keepers could testify.
Ibrahin Idris was the only governor in Kogi who built a strong political system of followers and political leaders across the state without coercion, but strong cohesion and political will.
Ibro Na Allah, as he was popularly nicknamed, not only resolved ecological issues but addressed pressing infrastructural and developmental dearth across Kogi state, so much so that his aura of development was felt at the local government areas, through the construction of mass housing estate for the 21 local government – a record yet to be broken in the political history of Kogi state.
In the area of social services, the Greater Lokoja Water that was reticulating water to residents of Lokoja constructed by his administration free of charge, is now history and cannot even be maintained on routine turn around maintenance.
Mass construction and rehabilitation of health facilities in all the local government areas of Kogi state was crowned by the establishment of a Specialist Hospital in Lokoja, the state capital to address the dearth of healthcare and to support the Federal Medical Centre in Lokoja.
In the area of Education, Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, Kogi State College of Education Ankpa, Kogi State University Anyigba, got a face lift through special funding. His administration established Kogi State College of Education,Technical Kabba, gave a face lift to College of Nursing and Midwifery Obangede, College of Health Technology, Idah and supported the establishment of Federal University cited in Lokoja, the state capital out of the nine new universities established by former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in 2011.
It was between 2003 and 2012 that Kogi State University got a life line of 2 billion naira by the new management to carry out an uninterrupted development and programs that reverted the institution from a glorified secondary school in 2002 accreditation of programs to the best third state university in all the programs under the leadership of late erudite scholar, Professor Francis Suleiman Idachaba. This feat came after all its programs were de-accredited few years back.
In fact, Kogi State University came first among state universities that had their law programs accredited, when first generation universities like UNN, ABU and others had their law programs de-accredited in 2002.
Politically, former governor Ibrahim Idris is a highly tolerable personae who strongly believe in political reward. It was during his tenure that secondary school certificate holders became Commissioners and members of state executive council, board members of agencies of government and statutory bodies, council bosses and others. This is based on his strong believe in political emancipation of our people both at the grassroot and urban areas.
The high chief of Igala kingdom, Omachi Attah Igala, does not believe in political ostracism, so when the quest to replace him as Kogi governor hots up in 2012 he created a level playing ground and expanded the desire for best hand to develop the state, not compromising his uniquely nine years stint at the corridor of power in Lugard House. Succession was not his bane but best hand led to early emergence of Jibrin Isah and the turn of events that brought former governor, Capt Idris Wada.
His fatherly roles was uncompromising and unmitigated, years after leaving office, as those who sees politics as a do or die affair attach much importance to defectors and cross carpeting in politics.
On several occasions, many had gone to the main opposition party, ruling party and others where their political ambition could be realised and not on the prompting of the operators and handlers.
But it is on record that for close to two decades, former governor Ibrahim Idris has never contemplated leaving the former ruling party and now main opposition, PDP, for one day. Currently, he is a member of NEC and BOT, the highest decision making body of the party at the national level.
So, it is a wrong judgement, sponsored miscarriage of assessment, myopic, and ill conceived for some self acclaimed analyst to think about bringing the former governor Ibrahim Idris to the cleaners rather than being celebrated for his activities while in and out of office.
– Abubakar Yusuf writes from Abuja.
