The memory of 16th November, 2019 will forever remain with the people of Kogi state and most especially Kogi East in particular as the mental revolution ultimately defeated ethnic or sectional agenda of some Kogi Easterners (the Igalas). O0ur people believed that a non-Igala cannot win a democratic contest in Kogi state, but this assertion was proved wrong in the just concluded governorship election.
Prior to the last governorship election in Kogi state, I wrote an article titled “An Assessment of Mental Revolution and Ethnic Agenda”. I was able to preach the superiority of EBIGO as compared to mere sectionalism, while most of my friends from Abuja, Kabba, Lagos, Lokoja and Enugu called and commended me for my equitable and detribalized disposition towards politicking others who were infected with the sickness called “tribalism” knocked me and called me all sorts of dishonorable names. I was almost crucified.
However, Kogi state belongs to all of us and it is crystal clear that there is a mental revolution at work in Kogi state. Mental Revolution itself simply means a change in thinking on the side of people and management while the Igala or Ethnic Agenda is an unpopular agenda designed solely to benefit some few persons and family members of past leaders; it is an agenda for the benefit of the profounder of the selfish theory.
Fortunately, Kogi youths and women having realized the need for equity and justice keyed into the ‘New Direction’ policies of the present administration of GYB/CEDO for optimal and even distribution of dividends of democracy. I could recalled vividly a statement made by our late political leader, Prince Abubakar Audu of blessed memory at one of his campaign rallies in Oziokutu Okene, he said and I quote:
“I am the only one that can shift power from Kogi East to the other part of Kogi state. I have been the apostle of power shift, don’t be deceived by others promising power shift. It’s only me, Prince Abubakar Audu that can ensure genuine power shift.
In reality, his prophesy came to past in November, 2015 when he was coasting to victory and died – power actually shifted to Kogi central through Abubakar Audu in a natural form. Who are we to question God? It is on this premise that most of us that believe in the supremacy of God and knowing fully well that power belongs to God and He giveth it to whomsoever He wishes at any particular point in time have resolved to canvass, mobilize and support His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello and His Excellency Chief David Edward Onoja for equity and fairness.
The emergence of these God given leaders is anchored on the tripartite component of EBIGO: Ebira, Igala and Okun there by making it mathematically superior to sectionalism.
I must not finish this article until I briefly commend some of the achievements of GYB new direction policy in the following areas:
- Youth and Women Empowerment
- Civil Service Reform
- Agricultural Revolution
- Security
- Revenue Generation
- Road Construction and Rural Development ETC,
Sadly, despite achieving these in the first tenure of his administration sentiments still played out in the last election thus paving way for pre and post election violence. We need to grow beyond animalistic behavior and maintain civility at all time politics is for development and not for destruction hence the need for us to embrace peace and play it by the rule party differences not withstanding.
I would like to conclude by appealing to His Excellencies Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello and Chief David Edward Onoja to run an all inclusive government despite any provocation from any quarters and to also do more in terms of grass root, youth and women development.
The time to jettison ethnicity, tribalism and sectionalism is now. God bless Kogi State.
– Omojo Peter Joseph is a Public Affairs Commentator and a member of the All Progressives Congress.
Omojo51@yahoo.com
