Kogi Guber: Echoes of Defeat And Snow of Shame

By Ajogwu Jerry Ochada

Politics is a 'crystal' game that involves a romance of the mind anchored on interest, capabilities and passion. Politics should not be a quick adventure for lame attendants of wishful thinking to swing ships at dawn. The political landscape in Nigeria is gradually becoming a dumping ground for rich retirees and successful business men to switch and gallivant in the corridors of power without any traceable achievement at the colossal end of their tenures. Developed countries like the United States of America also feature the routine incursions of the celebrated old bandwagons in the cumbersome vineyard of politics but they are often not recycled which is now a lucid factor in Nigeria, the self acclaimed Giant of Africa.

There is no gainsay that the focus of Nigeria and Nigerians is glued on the suffocating confluence of opportunities (Kogi State) laced with ugly abandonment even though Bayelsa State is preparing for same electoral exercise. The gaze of pundits, critics and sycophants is fixed dissecting and predicting the outcome of the scheduled November 16  gubernatorial election perhaps because Kogi State in the time past and present has been in the news for maladministration, poor leadership style, lack of accountability, illogical political tussle and egocentric style of politics. In Kogi State, manifestos are the miscalculated tools of winning elections while propaganda is the pinning achievement of our past and present leaders. Political actors in the confluence state care less about the welfare of the poor masses who often fall as preys to the enticing sugarcoated gimmicks during elections.

All is now set for the conduct of the 2019 Kogi gubernatorial elections but the bulk of correctional values is lurking in the corners of the electorates who are quick to divide themselves into critics and sycophants group at the commencement of any administration in Nigeria but are more vulnerable to be tricked at ease at the next poll. At this juncture, it is pertinent to note that celebrated political actors and followers are too emotional to learn from past mistakes hence it is ignorantly pathetic to watch them going back to their vomits due to initial gratifications triggered by greed.

The forthcoming election is another 'rare' ample time for political leaders and voters to do the needful otherwise the hullabaloo antagonising the leadership style of the incumbent governor of Kogi State will be categorized as "empty chants of classified noisemakers". In other words, it is dutiful and timely for the electorates to vote out failed leaders but it becomes a mocking scheme if in the aftermath of all agitations a criticized political actor remains the most valuable player in the race. In the past weeks, I opted to remain mute and restrained myself discussing Kogi politics amidst weak allegations that I have pitched tents with Governor Bello. Peddlers of the recent baseless assumptions are so myopic to think straight because aside Kogi politics, I have a life and nobody is concerned if the once upon a time critic of Yahaya Bello is passing through a phase in life that is not convenient. For these ignoramus, even when I pass through the valley of death I should keep writing to compensate their ugly conscience. While it is needless for me to debunk the lazy claims circulated by the comic and clueless buffoonish elements with zero electoral value, it is needful I clear the doubts of the few sane minds who deemed it necessary to know my standpoint amidst  irregular accusations.

In the past three years, I have criticized the obvious lapses of the present government of Kogi State and no individual (living or dead) ever sponsored my writings; it was a penchant styled criticism birthed by my passion for the growth and development of Kogi State. To this end, my recent silence should not be a subject of concern because of what relevance is my writing when the bulk of Kogites are not tired of their predicaments? On a second note, the writer can not be more serious than the aspirant. The present political interplay in Kogi State is discouraging because there is no traces of fierce opposition but a cross section of social media gamblers exchanging lazy banters lubricated by interest. Thirdly, l am not a member of any campaign train in Kogi State therefore I can choose to be silent and my neutrality cannot be questioned by any authority, politician, group or persons.

Kogi politics at the present should not be petty; it is not about any individual therefore for the up tenth time I implore members of the opposition to double their game. In the past weeks, I have stumbled upon a good number of publications, allegations and propaganda in the national and online dailies but to my stark dismay the opposition are busy raising pertinent questions in search of solution while the ruling party is mute to such effect. For instance, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is calling on the umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain neutrality in the forthcoming polls forgetting the Nigerian factor and process. It is another epoch time for INEC and the relevant security agencies to display high level of fairness in professional conduct to Nigerians at large and Kogites in particular.

The November gubernatorial election is anticipated to make a difference but how ready are Kogites? Politics have exceeded the limits of makeshift agenda garnished with self interest but a game that encompasses the success of all and sundry devoid of ethnic or communal sentiments. Barely 30 days to the election proper, the PDP is hoping to utilize fire brigade approach even though it is assumed that 'underground work' is ongoing but it is timely to involve the limited number of passionate stakeholders because the game is fast becoming tiring and parochial. It takes gut, composure, tact and proactive doings by imbibing 'something' different to defeat an incumbent leader adjudged in many quarters as a celebrated failure in power. In all, the game is not fixed or set for Yahaya Bello even though the opposition are not utilizing his weak points; propaganda cannot be trashed in politics but knowing when and how to detonate the best political arsenal is the biggest key that can open the doors of victory.

It is my wildest imagination and anticipation that the PDP would double their game in the coming days because the echoes of defeat is roaming freely in the air looking for a host while the snow of shame is living amongst the major contenders — APC and PDP. At the end of the whole process, we shall further witness another occasion of blame game which is not scarce in the political circle but the question will be, how well did you play your game? It is time for us as a people to have a rethink before we get suffocated as a result of the lingering lapses.

God bless Kogi State!