It is safe to say that the battle line for who takes over the Kogi governorship seat by November 2023 is drawn, even though the political parties would be kick-starting the primary elections beginning from this week. While candidates are on the field trying to woo delegates, there have been myriads of voices agitating for which of the three major senatorial districts should takeover from Governor Yahaya Bello.
In their wisdom, these agitators think it is equity or fairness to zone the seat to their districts, but their sentiments and emotions have beclouded their sense of judgment, such that they have thrown away the true definition of justice and what it is about.
The clamour for power-shift in Kogi State did not start today. It started since the days when the Igalas had ruled the state for more than twice till they sat on the seat for well over nineteen good years. They were never ready to relinquish to the other regions, until God divinely used Governor Yahaya Bello to bring it to the Central senatorial district of the state. But for this divine intervention, nobody could fathom the kind of miracle that could have made this possible in the next decade. Thus, the Igalas would have continued to rule as if it were a birthright, and without any iota of consideration for the other regions.
Now, why should the Igala be hastened about getting power back after such long rule characterized by selfishness and nepotism in governance and allocation of resources and political appointment? Their clamour is a good pointer that nothing has changed about their perception of the governorship seat – that it belongs to them.
The Okuns who occupy the Western part of the state are also agitating. Some of them did agitate with the Ebiras back in the days, and their part of the bargaining has always failed for whatsoever reasons and kind of politicking they do. But that is not the case. The Okuns have the right to clamour, especially as the only region left to produce a Governor of the state, but the clamour is definitely coming at the wrong time. There is no doubt that power should be rotated amongst these regions, but in the real sense of defining what equity, justice and fairness mean, the Central Senatorial district would need to balance the scale, then make it easier for the Okuns to also have their way after the next Governor has successfully completed his or her eight years. That way, after the Okuns have also had their sixteen years turn, there could be a proper arrangement on how the rotation should work forthwith.
If we must parley with the word, JUSTICE with regards to the highest seat of office in Kogi, then this is the true definition devoid of any sentiment whatsoever, and rotation of power is welcomed in our democracy if only done correctly, by giving everyone their fair share of the distribution.
In conclusion, this goes to add that, if competence should be added to the yardstick, each region of the state boasts of experienced and competent human resources that will better the lots of the people of the state. Therefore, it is only right that each region follow this already established and simple equation to achieve togetherness, progress and justice.
Adai Raymond
