By now, the comparison should be between incumbent Governor of Kogi State, who is also, the flagbearer of the All Progressive Congress(APC), Governor Yahaya Bello, and his People’s Democratic Party rival, Engineer Musa Wada (The younger brother of Captain Idris Wada). Such comparison is not convenient for me (so, you would have to pardon me for the choice of topic), giving the facts that the duo ‘Melaye and Bello’ became sworn enemies after the Kogi West senator decamped to the opposition party in the build up to the 2019 general election. He afterward intensified his campaign against the first citizen of the Confluence State on the basis of his gross incompetence. ‘SDM’ as popularly named even went as far as calling him unprinted names just to show to the world that of the truth, the Governor is far from doing the biddings of good governance as enshrined within the purview of democracy. I hope you haven’t forgotten about how the Governor frustrated the senator too.? That would be a story for another day.
However, Saturday, November 16, 2019 shall be a judgement day for the duo. Call it a day both camps would use the last drop of their blood to ensure the effectiveness of the wish of the people or the wish of the money or power as the case may be. Even more sacrosanct to admit that, the political arena of the country has become dominated by ‘vote buying’, ‘violence’, and ‘rigging’, its aftermath might be unbearable for us as a nation in the future.
Until the emergence of ‘GYB’ the anxiety of youth to take back the position of authority was at its climax. This was sequel to the misuse of power by the youths in the post-independence era; a situation which however, placed an artificial ‘taboo’ on the emergence of youth to any exalted position in the rank of the Executive Governor of a State. Everyone was however, happy when the news broke out that, a forty-year old man is now the Governor of Kogi State. The development to many was a product of circumstance, buttressing the place of destiny and God in our socio-political endeavors on earth.
Four years gone by, the mess was far from being pardonable. The heat; more or less like a product of an atomic bomb in the State was felted by other neighboring States. How can a sitting Governor owe his workers up to about twenty-four months despite Federal Government intervention in form of bail-out funds, Paris club refund among others? Some even went as far as comparing him with a one-time leader of People’s Democratic Party in Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, who until the expiration of his tenure owed workers many months of salary.
To worsen the case, the infrastructural debacle prior to his emergence as the flagbearer of the ruling party has continued to constitute a chagrin to the party leaders who understands what the people of the grassroots are currently undergoing. The state currently ranks as one of the most poverty stricken State in the country. By implication, her citizens are vulnerable to various degrees of harsh economic conditions ranging from poor social amenities, scarcity of resources and retarded rate of human development.
Nevertheless, we cannot blame the ruling party for fielding an under-performed Governor, but instead blame our political system for celebrating mediocrity and ineptitude. The political system many at times rewards failure at the expense of hard work, diligence and focus. This is never so in many developed countries such as the United States and many European countries that based their governance on people’s oriented policies.
Hilariously, the acclaimed man of the people Sen Dino Melaye is simply an empty barrel who have on countless times sonorously utter words of gibberish. ‘SDM’, although very close to the people, lives an extravagant lifestyle, while his people dwells in the pit of hell the Governor has sank them into. I believe he should be in position to lift them from poverty via good policies as a Federal legislator, but, his penchant for exotic cars, luxuries, and ‘expensive shit’ would make such efforts to only manifest as mirage.
When the Tribunal and the Appeal Court declared his seat vacant, I quickly request the opinion of a learned colleague in Kogi State, who by circumstance, knew one of the ‘INEC’ officials that partook in the 2019 general election. According to him, ’Dino did not win the Kogi West Senatorial Seat election. He employed large scale rigging, manipulation of electoral umpire and deployment of violence.’
In recent time, analysts have placed a bet that the embattled Senator representing Kogi West would bounce back like a projectile aiming to hit a desirable target. He would have to fiercely battle the Federal mercenaries. Of the truth, he might be outspent in the ‘theatre of war’, while the people hearken to the voice of money and deny him the chance of representing them again. And sad enough, virtually all the bigwigs of the People’s Democratic Party in ‘Okun land’ have all decamped to the All Progressive Congress. This would definitely have an adverse effect; as the party would be left to race without strategists and political players. Those following Melaye’s campaign across the seven local government areas of Kogi West would agree that his manifestos are ‘jocular’, ‘satire’ and lacking substance. But, this might be an overrated statement anyway.
As a matter of reality, Yahaya Bello has sworn to ensure that SDM does not return. The under-performed Governor who recently bought a Rolls Royce for the paramount ruler of Attah Igala Kingdom has vowed to use the last drop of his blood to send the Senator back to his Aiyetoro residence. To worsen the case, the PDP’s flagbearer might posed no threat to the incumbent governor owing to his lack of experience and his gross naivety in political world. Wada only stands to enjoy the hegemonic advantage of the ‘Igalas’, whom until now, remains the largest and the most populated tribe in Kogi State. But does population alone wins’ election.?
Where Bello hailed from, Ebira, is the second most populated tribe. Despite the failure of their son, they might still see reasons why the ‘Boy’ still deserves another term (You have to understand that in Nigeria politics, personal interest comes first before other factors), forgetting the four years of starvation, human induced poverty and hunger they have gone through.
Right now, the people of Okunland (whose son, Bamidele Aro, is a running mate to Musa Wada), would play a key role in electing the next Governor. The ethnic and tribal game has segregated the State into what is obtainable today in Nigeria, where the dichotomies among Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo have continued to hold us hostage of meaningful development since independence.
In reality, the people of the State would be made to bask in the euphoria of money and inducement during the election day. Those who have been made to suffer have be treated as kings and queen a fortnight to election day. I heard the Senate has approved refund spent on Federal roads in Kogi State to a tune of 10Billion naira. Whether you agree or not, that humongous amount of money and many others would be spent by the ruling party to force their way back to the exalted position for another four years, while the ‘poverty stricken citizens’ be rendered helpless. But, would the wish of the people actually prevail.?
Now that all is set for the election (the INEC Boss has said only atomic bomb can stop the election from holding), Kogi West would be a hot bed and a mirror image of a war zone. The forces of ‘SDM and GYB’ would clash in cash and in power. They would also clash in relief materials and perishable materials. The Governor might be happy if he loses, but, would be sad if the embattled senator emerges victorious. What a game plan.! If Melaye therefore succeeds this onslaught, he would set a new record, his proximity to the people would be justified.
Gbadebo ADEAGBO
•ADEAGBO is an Opinion Writer. He writes from Akure. Can be reached on Twitter @adeagbo_gbadebo.
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