Why Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello Second Term is going to be the Best

Beyond the elections and leadership in the wake of the covid-19 changing world is the task of good governance.(imagining if I were the governor of kogi State, musings of a 100days)

The gubernatorial elections of last year Saturday 16th November 2019 in kogi state may have come and gone. But the ripples from the process and its consequent matters arising will continue to remain with us for a long time to come. The task before the executive Council which forms the government proper is to make our state, the true confluence of opportunities. A terminus of prosperity and a land of the free. To make us great again is simple uncommon common sense.

In the famous essay credited to Karl Marx written in the eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Napoleon, I cite: everything that happens in life and in history happens twice, “first as a tragedy, and second as a farce!”. Thus, history always repeats itself. Partly because we do not learn well enough from the lessons of the past or we have forgotten too soon in the present. It is like the tale told of the man who has either not found himself or may have lost himself again.

Fact is, our state is more divided today more than ever before in her history. We must never allow ourselves to be divided by political ideologies if any, or obvious tribal triumphalism and ethnic revenge, what Paulo Freire calls the pedagogy of the oppressed. He argues that, whenever the oppressed gains freedom, he often in reaction becomes more oppressive than the former oppressor. We are first kogites before anything else. 

Sociologists worry profoundly, that, if necessary steps are not taken to heal the wounds of political correctness and media hype in the wake of our recent power tussle, the actions, inactions, reactions and counter reactions of today will not only remain for history books and historians but will have dire implications for the next generation kogites and future elections.

This is not just a make or mar moment; it is the only opportunity left. A tenure of four years is in fact a space of forty-eight swift months, comprising a thousand, four hundred and sixty days less hundred days today. It is short and long enough time to achieve many great or horrible legacies. It is therefore, an opportunity given or “taken” for greatness. History beckons on the gladiators to make a difference.

Nevertheless, in between this cycle, as history always repeats itself in our state, we look forward to many tribunal, court cases and more litigations. And God forbid, to rumors of high profile accidents and other distractions. In the process, taxpayer’s money, precious time and focus will be lost shuttling between courts, judges,Abuja and stakeholders, as the bazaars and "stock exchange" prolongs, the vaults are emptied.

Such that, what money could not solve, more monies will resolve! Eventually by the time the case that is already decided even before it began gets to its final ruling, and while the judges and winners will still be enjoying their "oga, thank you sir", it would have been time for another primaries, "tatatata we go hear am" controversies, and a new republic. This is how we got to where we are where we are as a state. Sad, but true!

Is it the case that we failed to plan well or we always planned to fail well? The purpose of public service we are told in administration is service! Short and simple: to serve with heart and mind. The basic duties of a state government are very clearly spelt out in our constitution and in our common sense. Simply, to promote the general welfare of every citizen.

To manage effectively and efficiently scarce resources. To provide solutions and direction. Not just a new direction, but also a right direction. While the most important purpose of a government is to protect the individual rights and corporate security of its citizens and properties by enforcing law and order, her most relevant duty is to advance social welfare. The citizens will naturally fulfil their duties and obligations accordingly to pay appropriate taxes and to be law abiding. It is a symbiosis.

You can not expect compliance in the face of dysfunctional system. That would be a contradiction in law and practice. It is when and where this arrangement exists clearly, that a government and the governed becomes the truest Siamese twins.

The functionalist school of thought led by Auguste compté argues that an institution ceases to exist once it ceases to perform the functions for which it was established . Government exists to facilitate effective and prudent management of scarce resources for the corporate state. This she is expected to achieve through design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of its framework of rules and duties by ensuring compliance, accountability, fairness and a balanced prosperous society. To fail this sacred duty is disaster and blunder.

The task therefore before the Newer direction team of leadership in our state, is to prove this point and rule of engagement beyond any reasonable doubt.

Results we are told cancels a lot of insults. The campaign weeks of our election recently brought forward a lot of lies, truths, denials, exaggerations, accusations, misrepresentations, deceits, damage controls, hate speeches, refutals, jingles, slogans, rumors, and above all verifiable realities.

But the question is, to what extent therefore can we doubt facts and proofs? And for how long can we live in denial? What purpose does this mutual hatred serve? The negative energies we generate in criticisms and condemnations can only create an atmosphere of retrogression. Common sense tells us that a second term governor or office holder has nothing really to gain or lose. Bad case scenario, such a one, will acquire, seize, earn, "deserve", capture or kidnapp a senate slot, win or appear to win and sink into retirement at the red chambers.

If in the unlikely situation of being in an opposition, he may be "orgiuzornised", otherwise, CEST la vive. The politics of painand gain can only give rise to more resentment and uprising.These are critical questions and moment for self-evaluation. This is a time to be magnanimous in “victory”. For instance, ‘pepper-them-slogan’ et al can only but achieve more division.

Language we are told is the power house of creativity and innovation. Both body and speech language must be given proper custody. When an empire expires and the emperor goes extempore into extinction, something always remains of the epoch that flows in their psyche; dominion or repressive submission. There are matters arising that this government must look into and set the records straight before their bid is done. 

The kogi citizens are not asking for too much. The issue of salaries, percentage payment or non-payment has lingered for too long that we do not know who to believe. Nevertheless, it serves for sanity to listen to the anger of the hungry man, whose plight remains the immediate task towards making kogi great again. The largest employer of labor in our state is the civil service. Even at that, civil servants could become evil servants when they are not motivated, they will fail to function as well, become truant and partnership of a failed system.

This is so sad but true. Where are the industries? What we consume here comes in mostly from the Igbo land east of the Niger, Lagos and the north and at their exits they pull the bulk of our cash away. Even the cashew miracle that became a ‘bail out’, the average poor man can only feed his passion from the gains, never to sacrifice in an investment. For this kind of “S” economy we operate here, salaries remain the only source of cash flow and the blood of our commerce. Salaries regulates businesses, churches or mosques, schools and social life in kogi.

Therefore, for one civil servant whose salary is affected, at least eight or more dependent relatives are already stranded. It is that serious. This is where agricultural revival and empowerment of our people will be a bold step in the right direction. Mechanized farming will be a great revolution. This can be achieved through relevant loans with zero or single digit interest rates and partnership. Once we can feed our population we are on our way to that greatness.

Again, it is interesting to note and observe that kogi state is so blessed with so much natural resources, water ways and as a link way state to more than nine states, a terminus of all sorts, to become a first class business hob and tourist destination of Nigeria is imminent. Lordlugard was smart to have chosen lokoja as the Nigerian equator long ago.

 Provided whatever is allocated for development actually gets to where it was meant to go dreams will not only become reality but legacies. The media rating index we read and see about our state are indicators that there is more work to be done. Security achievements have become challenged by frequent kidnapping, gun running and violence.

All we need is the trust and courage to begin again the task of renewing the dream of a better state. By Bringing onboard those who not only share the passion of a great dream, but are armed with proven records of merit and performance, enough of these mediocres. Especially, the forth coming council polls should parade chairmen who can transform rural governance and economy. Not just motorcycle and festive season rice distributor chairmen. We need men or women with workable ideas and realizaeable agendas.

Education remains the bedrock of any development agenda. It makes people easy to govern but difficult to enslave. The kogi people look forward to functional schools properly funded and equipped at all levels. We have had it rough with the neglect of this sector. Our hope is that the government will make history, by striving to give the schools and our children the tools on how to think and evolve, we must not dupe these assets of their future.

As you have your task cut out for you, the infrastructural deficit and decaying social amenities is a huge reality. Health care delivery is key to wealth generation, for a good health is profound wealth. This is begging for intervention as Covid-19 has shown. The roads, housing, water and energy, are areas any serious government must make an impact.

We have been cut off from Benue state for long and the Ajaokuta federal highways will be a lasting legacy of intervention. Making Kogi great again, not only requires an overhaul, but an improvement on job quality, this is because the speed of the collapse of these structures inherited also reveal the shoddy job done by past regimes.

As a worthy celebration package, hunger ravages many homes in the locked down. Palliatives and food is urgently needed by many families in silence groans. Do not ignore this reality.

The second term in office is a new beginning of a newer direction, history beckons on the leadership to do sincere self-appraisal. Process the chaff from the wheat of criticism and eliminate grey areas of governance. Hearty 100 days in office. Make Kogi state great again, yes we can!

Published by 

Captain Akaaba 

Asamarchants@gmail.com 

08098476644