It is no longer news that 16th November, 2019 is a date set aside for Kogi’s and Bayelsa’s gubernatorial elections but a reality as the states couldn’t participate in the said elections during the general elections due to the effect of court judgements on them in the past.
While our Bayelsa’s reporter failed to update us of the political development in the area, one of our award winning writers, Sani Michael Omakoji, did well to report on political development in Kogi state.
In this particular article, Sani Michael Omakoji, writes on what he titles as “Political Atmosphere In Kogi As November 16 Draws close”.
Let us read what he has to say;
“ Tension, maiming and killing, intimidation, violence, social engineering in full force, thuggery, unlawful possession of arms and ammunitions as well as political unrest are now order of the day as the people of Kogi state prepare to go to the polls.
If all things being equal, November 16th is a date with history as electorate of Kogi State go to the polls to elect their Governor who will stair the affairs of the state for the next four years.
While the people eagerly await this, it is sad to report that there is general uncertainty in Kogi State as political gangsterism is now a norm in the state.
For example, Anyigba town located in Kogi East which has been a splash point since the return of democracy is now a ‘Mini Afghanistan ‘, as thuggery and fake security personnel have taken over the town.
To justify this assertion, just on Saturday last week being 9th November, a fake solider identified as Umar Isaq who confessed to be working for APC was arrested between Agbeji and Anyigba town by Nigerian Army.
Umar Isaq confessed that he was in the state along many others to help APC rig election through causing violence in PDP’s stronghold areas aimed at leading to inconclusive election, and stager election.
With thugs drumming the songs of war in Anyigba, Ejule, Abocho, and unknown military men shooting guns sporadically all over towns and villages including Lokoja, Kogi State capital, not to talk of the burnt down of Barrister Natasha Akpoti’s (SDP) in Lokoja, the political atmosphere is tensed up more than ever before in the history of Kogi State.
You recall that the incumbent Governor, Yahaya Bello came into power through inherited votes following the shocking demise of late political icon, Prince Abubakar Audu who gave up the ghost on the eve he was to be declared as the winner of 2015 Kogi gubernatorial election.
It was a situation that was alien to Nigerian constitution and any other constitution world over.
Though closest to law practice which is based on; Constitution, Judicial precedents and logic, one expected Hon James Faleke who was then late Audu’s deputy to step in since it was a joint ticket but the interpreters of the Nigerian law said, “Bello who took second position in APC primaries” was the most appropriate to inherit Audu’s votes.
Perhaps, that is not even supposed to be an issue to lament again as the truth later came out that, Yahaya Bello was brought in because the cabals never wanted Hon. James Faleke of Christian faith to occupy the seat.
That aside, Yahaya Bello came in as the youngest Governor ever in the history of Nigeria after Donald Duke of cross Rivers, with expectations high and hopes beckoned!
Just like yesterday, four years of his controversial tenure has come and gone and there are so many talking points from his administration.
Let me digress a little that performance is measured base on what a leader has offered over time.
In the case of Kogi State under Governor Yahaya Bello in the last four years, civil servants have been reduced to mere beggars as many are dying due to non payment of salaries for over three years plus; infrastructural decay especially roads became death traps as the existing ones are not maintained talkless of constructing new ones as well poor management of state resources which all put together recognized the state as the worst state in the whole federation.
This ranking is hitting Kogi hard despite collecting bailouts, Paris club refund, Ecological funds, huge allocations, Federal government refund to state, IGR and other numerous intervention funds.
Although, it is the right of any citizen of Kogi State to dare the number one seat in the state but with performance index above, why must Governor Yahaya Bello force himself on the people in a supposed society where leaders are elected by the game of number call democracy?
If our democracy is still in place, what is giving him confidence to contest after this abysmal outing ?
No wonders, while on Channel Television on “Kogi Election” Elder Faruk Adejoh-Audu who is PDP’s spokesman in his opening savour did say that Bello’s hope of contesting is in the fact that INEC is another extension of APC.
That he said using scenarios that played out in Osun and Kano gubernatorial Elections.
He clearly mentioned where the INEC in collaboration with APC and compromised security agencies declared elections inconclusive especially where PDP is visibly coasting home for victory, thus, he cried out that the injustice that played out in Osun and Kano Elections are still fresh in the minds of Nigerians.
And that with what is happening in Kogi State despite people’s rejection of Yahaya Bello’s candidature, APC is planning Kano and Osun Scenarios in Kogi State.
However, he cautioned the authority to stay away from such plan as Kogi is a different society all together.
Reflecting further on the political atmosphere in Kogi State, Elder Faruk Adejoh-Audu also said, “APC’s thugs now disguising as PDP’s members to kill and destroy properties in Kogi State and dishearteningly inspite the official reports made to the NPF, authority is not saying anything or doing anything to curtail the situation.
That in a free and fair election, Governor Yahaya Bello who has failed the good people of Kogi State woefully won’t be able to get 20 percent of the total votes cast”.
Proliferation of Arms and ammunitions by APC across towns and villages in Kogi State was also another unfortunate reality he talked about.
James Apam, INEC Resident commissioner who was on call from Lokoja while Elder Faruk Adejoh-Audu was discussing “Kogi Issue” was also accused of accepting mutilated results against authentic results in the last elections but he could not vindicate himself from the allegation.
- Mr James Akpam, INEC Resident Commissioner, Kogi State
Elder Faruk Adejoh-Audu frankly mentioned that is on records that in the last elections, 10 PDP members were killed by APC’s thugs and till today, non of this people who perpetrated this act has been executed yet; the same thing goes to those killers of Barrister Natasha Akpoti of SDP supporters.
On the whole, APC, is not out for election in Kogi but Elder Faruk Adejoh-Audu said they are out for rigging, violence, war, intimidation, thuggery and political gangsterism and all these are planned with security forces as well as INEC but by HIS grace according to his words, they would all be disappointed.
As I conclude, let me state that the good people of Kogi State until this time enjoy peace, love and unity but the current plot to impose Yahaya Bello on the people has damaged the above variables.
Finally, if the Federal Government still value Kogites, they should move to ensure free and fair election in Kogi to protect lives and properties during and after election instead of putting party’s interest first.
Sani Michael Omakoji
Public Affairs Commentator
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