By Comrade Danfulani Lukman Ohinoyi
From infrastructure and security to youth empowerment and inclusive governance, supporters say the former governor’s legacy continues to outweigh the criticisms.
Politics is often a game of perception. Leaders are praised by supporters, criticized by opponents, and judged differently by history. Few politicians in Kogi State have experienced this reality more than Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
To his critics, Yahaya Bello has many “sins.” They accuse him of being too bold, too independent, too uncompromising, and too determined to challenge the old political order. But to countless ordinary Kogi people, these so-called sins pale in comparison to what they describe as the lasting gains of his administration.
Across communities in Kogi East, Kogi Central, and Kogi West, many residents remember an administration that invested in roads, schools, hospitals, security, and public infrastructure. They point to government policies that gave young people opportunities to serve in positions of authority, while women also occupied strategic offices in unprecedented numbers.
Supporters also credit Bello with prioritizing security at a time when criminal activities threatened many parts of the state. Through collaboration with security agencies and investment in logistics, they argue that many communities experienced improved safety and stability.
His administration pursued reforms in revenue generation, embraced digital governance, and sought to modernize public administration. Advocates say these initiatives strengthened government operations and laid a foundation for future economic growth.
Perhaps Bello’s most enduring political legacy, supporters argue, is his decision to open the doors of leadership to a younger generation. At a time when politics was largely dominated by established figures, his administration elevated many young professionals into positions of responsibility, changing the conversation about youth participation in governance.
Like every public servant, Yahaya Bello’s years in office remain the subject of debate. Yet many Kogi citizens believe that no honest assessment of his administration should overlook the infrastructure delivered, the reforms introduced, the opportunities created, and the confidence restored among many young people who saw governance become more accessible.
As political conversations gather momentum once again, one message continues to resonate among his loyal supporters: leaders may face criticism, but enduring legacies are measured by the lives they touch and the foundations they leave behind.
For many across Kogi State, Yahaya Bello remains not just a former governor, but a leader whose developmental strides and political vision continue to shape conversations about the state’s future.
– Comrade Danfulani Lukman Ohinoyi writes from Okene.
