Alhaji YY Okala, the Auditor-General of Kogi State, is a man whose professional accomplishments, intelligence and articulate disposition deserve recognition. Before assuming his current position, he was an accomplished private-sector professional and a consummate banker.
Since the administration of former Governor Yahaya Bello, YY Okala has played a significant role in helping many people, particularly those of Igala extraction, access opportunities and rise to positions of relevance.
More importantly, he has continued to contribute to attracting development and government projects to Kogi East, even in circumstances where the people of the area did not massively support Governor Usman Ododo in the 2023 election.
We must understand that attracting government projects and development to a constituency is not always a walk in the park. It requires conviction, strategic engagement, persistent lobbying and the ability to build meaningful relationships with those in positions of authority.
YY Okala therefore deserves commendation for his efforts in this regard. Rather than allowing political differences or personal interests to blind us to his contributions, we should learn to acknowledge and appreciate those who are genuinely making efforts to bring development to our people.
Let us give credit where credit is due. Constructive criticism is welcome, but fairness demands that we also acknowledge genuine efforts and contributions.
Unfortunately, those who misled our people during the 2023 elections appear to be at it again. This time around, their focus seems to be on YY Okala, with the apparent intention of distracting one of our key players and a committed community man from the work he is doing.
But one thing is certain: we know our people, we understand the politics, and we know where the distractions are coming from. We will not lose sleep over them.
YY Okala has no personal political ambition beyond diligently delivering his mandate as Auditor-General of Kogi State and contributing to the attraction of meaningful development to Kogi East.
Allow Okala to do his job.
If you choose to speak against him until next year, that is your right. But YY Okala is a man of conscience, and as long as his conscience is clear and he remains committed to his responsibilities, he will not be distracted by negativity.
We are judging him by his work and contributions to Kogi State and that of Igala/Bassa people
– Johnson Musa, PhD
Development Expert
