There is a saying in the Ebira language that, “the cane used to flog the front runner is still available for the one trailing behind.” This to an extent, explains the current travails of those who, four years ago, were political beneficiaries of Governor Yahaya Bello’s political system widely regarded as anointing.
He, Bello, as Governor of Kogi State, was the Prophet who decided who gets what, when and how. Aspirants with political ambitions toiled, tilled, canvassed, consulted and garnered supporters; but at the moment of going to the field to contest the ticket of the party, to their chagrin, they were imposed upon, unpopular and lazy candidates.
The Bello’s anointing temple started in the run ups to the 2019 general elections, particularly in the central senatorial district. He was going to superitend on his first major election, when the popular entrepreneur and altruist, Khalifa Abdulrahaman Okene emerged the name in the mouths of all and sundry because of how much resources, time and impact he had invested in his ambition. But to the dismay of everyone, Yakubu Oseni was enforced on everyone who vied for that POSITION. It was after his Imposition, that Oseni commenced his own journey.
The tale would later be told that after his four years, another person, Abubakar Ohere, was imposed upon Oseni. The cane waited for Oseni and had him beaten twice as much, because he also aspired to be Governor in the system that produced Ododo.
Rather unfortunate, this system has played out in every contested positions across the state, even in the appointment of paramount traditional rulers.
However, what is shocking is, when the time comes for the anointed candidates of yesteryears to receive their portion of the cane, they begin to cry even while it has only been raised and not yet landed on their backs. They protest, revolt, threaten and stir rebellious controversies. Where is their loyalty for which they were picked over others four years ago?
Others were beaten for you with a cane, and they wept as you rejoiced without envisaging that the cane was not thrown away. It was kept for you, and now that it is coming on your backs, the appropriate response ought to be a graveyard silence, and an appreciation for the rewarding experience you had. What is good for the goose, is good for the gander.
If performance were the metrics (it has never been) for these anointings, most of the anointed would never have tasted the postions they got. It is now in the mouth of grapevines, that it was a failed attempt to sustain loyalty. An attempt, because truly looking at the statistics, Yahaya Bello never allowed any man or woman with resources to get any position they contested while he was in power. Also a failure because in the end, the supposed loyalists whom he anointed, completed their first terms in office, and not allowed to return, eventually failed him in one way or another.
In the end, the people were most affected and deprived of quality representation and leadership. We believe the need for a major shift from this system of bagging loyalists and commanding followership cannot be overemphasized. If the goal was to be the Tinubu of Kogi State, then one must first of all attend the Tinubu’s school of politics which embraces intellectual competition, picks the best brains for assignments and not reward incompetence, illiteracy, low self esteem and retrogression.
The time has come to let the people pick amongst themselves based on antecedents of aspirants who had never tasted political positions, but cared and impacted the people with their personal efforts, energy and resources. The time has come for Governors to take a supervisory role and let the people consult amongst themselves, and give their feedback at the primary polls. Giving a level-playing field to aspirants is an inspiring leadership that wins followership and support.
To this end, the people must also watch out for erstwhile beneficiaries of this anointing who will be seeking their help to cry as the cane lands on their backs. Please do not cry more than the bereaved, for when anointed candidates of yesteryears begin to cry, it is foul or crocodile tears.
