The race for who becomes the next governor of Kogi state is becoming more interesting, considering the intricacies and the political intrigues being introduced along religion and ethnic sentiments and the huge number of aspirants that have so far declared their intentions with some who already picked the nomination and intent forms of their various political parties.
The Confluence state was carved out of old Kwara and Benue states by the then Ibrahim Babangida military administration on August 27, 1991, and ever since, the state has witnessed different kinds of leadership both democratically elected and appointed administrations.
The state is dominated by the Igala tribe, according to the figures released by the National Population Commission in 2006, having about 51% of the entire population. Thus, the Goals have held the governorship seat since the creation of the state before fate beckoned on Alhaji Yahaya Bello from one of the minority groups in the state who emerged the 4th executive governor of the state in a divine order due to the sudden demise of Prince Abubakar Audu, the APC candidate in the 2015 governorship election.
Achieving power shift or rotation before the emergence of Yahaya Bello in 2016 was a mirage hence there is no gainsaying the need for the people of old Kwara in the central and west senatorial districts of the state to consolidate on the power that has shifted by providence to give their unalloyed support and re-elect Governor Bello for the second term.
If for 25 years, the old Kwara had toiled day and night to work for the actualisation of power shift in the state, it will be a disservice to generations yet unborn to allow the opportunity at hand to elude the zone under any guise. There is need to renew the bond and brotherliness of the Old Kwara and give our total support to GYB, especially the West Senatorial District that till now has not gotten the opportunity to produce the governor of the state in the last 28 years of its creation.
Kogi West as it is today may not have a better option than to rally round the incumbent governor to return and complete his eight years provided by the Constitution of Nigeria as the option remains the opportunity for the West to move close of producing the governor of the state in 2024 when Governor Bello would round off his tenure.
In fact, Kogi West has never had it so good since the creation of the state; under the new direction administration, they have enjoyed prominent and juicy positions they never have the opportunity to get under the previous administrations in the state. Governor Yahaya Bello, being a detribalised man, remains the first governor of the state that has demonstrated equal love for the entire state in the implementation of his policies, programmes and even in appointments.
He came to recognise the nine federal constituencies in the state which give rooms for Okunland to produce the speaker of the state House of Assembly from Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu and the secretary to the state government in Yagba Federal Constituencies, respectively without any rancour.
The governor has also been well disposed to the wellbeing of the traditional rulers, hence he has repositioned the institution for effective and efficient performance of their functions as the father for all in the state.
I believe Okun people will not be so ungrateful to buy into the project of Senator Dino Melaye who is also aspiring to be governor of the state.
His intention to me might be personal since up till this moment, the only recognised umbrella body in Okunland, Okun Development Association (ODA), has not come out and they may not back Melaye’s aspiration.
Melaye, being who he is, may not have the capacity to jeopardise the chances of the incumbent governor and even the APC as a party in the forthcoming governorship election in the senatorial district, especially in Okun areas.
Waiting for only four years will be a far better option than a perpetual waiting for years unknown because any governor, especially from the East Senatorial District taking fresh oath aside Bello who only constitutionally has four years to go, will want to do his eight years. And only God knows like Alhaji Ibrahim Idris who promised heaven and earth during his campaigns in both 2003, 2007 and even his rerun election in 2008 to ensure power rotation or shift by handing over to other district, but we were all alive to witness how he imposed his friend and kinsman, Captain Idris Wada, to succeed him in 2012.
Governor Yahaya Bello has been able to unite the people of the state, irrespective of tribe, religion or class hence it is a clear departure from what we use to have with the past administrations in the state.
A Muslim governor building a chapel in the Government House for Christian faithful to have a place of worship within the area is a monumental achievement for me as a Christian who has lived for over 25 years in Kogi.
However, whatever may be the shortcomings of the current administration, it is still far better than previous administrations in the state, cleaning up the system is more tasking than destroying it which is what we witnessed in the past.
Aside the salary saga, Governor Bello has performed better than his predecessors.
On security, healthcare services, education, infrastructure development, agriculture, civil service reforms, peace, unity, he has tried.
It is on this note, I call on well-meaning people of Kogi West and especially Okun sons and daughters both home and diaspora to join hands to support and return Governor Bello as the 5th executive governor of Kogi state.
Gbajumo writes from Lokoja, Kogi state.
