By Mary Amodu, Lokoja
Destiny seem to have played a major role in the final outcome of the entire process of the Kogi State governorship election. It was an election that was dramatic, highly symbolic and profoundly instructive but at the end of the day destiny had its way.
It was an election that generated as much heat as light; emotions and reasons also featured as candidates and parties competed for victory. as usual, it was an election that consumed time, efforts, and above all finance but all the candidates have collectively agreed that God was the ultimate decider, as a man Yahaya Bello who was initially not a candidate became the winner of the election.
Although many believed that the premise upon which the INEC declared the election was faulty. this is because many are of the opinion that it was not all the 49,000 that were accredited voters.
Nevertheless the unexpected incident has never happened in this country or the world, so it was made confusing with different individuals analysing and strategising to ensure it was in their favor.
Sequel to the demise of the APC candidate Prince Abubakar Audu, the INEC formally wrote to the party demanding a substitution. The APC guided by constitutionality and rationality reacted adequately by picking Yahaya Bello who was a runner up to the Late Prince Abubakar Audu in the APC primaries.
Though the action of the party attracted criticism s from some individuals especially from Hon James Faleke who argued that as a running mate to Audu he was suppose to be an automatic candidate. But his argument and petition was thrown out by the Federal high Court Abuja.
Yahaya Bello was the governorship candidate in the supplementary election and eventually became the Governor- elect in the 2015 Kogi State governorship election with a total vote of 247,752.
The election has been describe as symbolic by many, not only in the manner he emerge which has been describe as an act of God. Yahaya Bello is reputed to be the youngest governor ever elected in Kogi State. More symbolic is the fact that Bello is seen by the entire Kogi Central Senatorial destricts as hero of power shift. Since 1991 he is the first Ebira man to be come governor after 24 years.
The governor elect Alhaji Yahaya Bello in an interview with press men in Lokoja, promised to ensure massive industrialization in the state to create employment for the teeming populace.
He reiterated his determination to attract giant industries to the state to tap into the abundant resources and possibilities in the state.
The accountant-turned-politician identified solid minerals, agriculture and tourism as the key economic drivers that can take the state to the next level.
He promised to also harness the mineral potentials across the state to significantly improve the GDP of the state and its economy, saying his administration will be totally committed to implementing its blueprint for the development of education, healthcare and radical infrastructural development.
He also added that he is not a governor for the minority but the majority who represents the youth who are the most populous in the State and will do everything in his possible best to improve their well being.
He went further to say his coming to Lugard’s house is for the best” Kogi State will from next year by the special grace of God will not only be recognized as a civil servant State but and industrious, where foreign investors to invest in the State.
Kogi election has come and gone which has become a watershed in the political history in the State because of the way destiny decided the final outcome. Destiny disqualified the initial 22 candidates jostling for the position and endorse the candidacy of Yahaya Bello that everyone knew it was God at work and because it was God elect no man could querry God, welcome a man of destiny.
