2011: Reflections on quality representation in Kogi Central
Why would we not reflect, at such a crucial time as this when the plight of our people, politically, seems to be hanging in the balance again because a few undesirable ones within the Central and in the state have elected to hang onto power, willy-nilly, in the name of democracy and utter disregard/insensitivity to […]
Why would we not reflect, at such a crucial time as this when the plight of our people, politically, seems to be hanging in the balance again because a few undesirable ones within the Central and in the state have elected to hang onto power, willy-nilly, in the name of democracy and utter disregard/insensitivity to strategies capable of ensuring cohesion and peaceful integration in a heterogeneous/multi-cultural setting such as ours? Could we excuse this vain-gloriousness of man when many had spoken of the benefits in power rotation: Pastor Suleiman Joseph (a.k.a. Manjoe), a former EYC President General, had remarked, as a member of the defunct 2006 Constitutional Conference, to the admiration of the conferees, and indeed Nigerians in general, that: “Ordinarily, the issue of power rotation would not have been as contentious as it is if only those in the majority would for once throw their majority weight behind a demonstrably good candidate from the minority area. Does it mean that there are no good governorship materials that deserve the vote of Igala majority in Kogi State since its creation?” The same question can be asked in respect of the Tivs of Benue State, the (southern people of) Kaduna State, the Binis of Edo State … so when we talk of equity, fairness and justice, on whose side are we talking: is it on the side of the oppressive majority or on the side of the oppressed and deprived minority? Or are we talking of the triple principle on the basis of equality of ethnic groups and respect of human persons irrespective of tribe, belief or geographical location? … I believe once rotation of power is constitutionally enshrined, it will achieve three important things: allay the fears of minority; check the tyranny of numbers/majority; and reduce agitation for the creation of new states.
Should we not now reflect upon our predicament given the insistence of the Igala and Bassa Kingdoms to cling onto power in the name of democracy? (as in the Nation newspaper of Friday, 3rd December, 2010, p. 61) vis-à-vis the attempt by INEC to nail the political death knell and further subjugate us – Kogi Central – the oppressed ‘minority’ perpetually, through a population balancing formula that seals the political hegemony of Kogi East over us, in spite of researches that disprove delineation through population balancing? On this note, Associate Professor Mariyetu M. Tenuche (2006) recalls Elazar Suberu that: “The internal territorial demarcation of a federation into constituent units need not be exactly equal, but can be based on dispersed inequality among the different units as long as no single unit is so predominant as to jeopardize the integrity of the others”.
Again, Dr. Onukaba notes: “The process of leadership recruitment in Ebiraland is faulty. We are not being led by our First Eleven. Our best and brightest have no say in how our affairs are run. We have elevated people of questionable characters to leadership positions. Well, we are not entirely to be blamed. We did not vote for them. They shot their way to power. They were elected without the electorates. But enough is enough”. It is time we elect credible leaders to move Ebira forward as well as contribute to national development in Kogi State and at the National Assembly. In the words of Dr. Onukaba,
“Vote for those who will add value to our lives and to our community … Reject all those whose hands are stained with the blood of innocent people. Reject all those who have appropriated our common patrimony for their selfish use. Say no to the bench warmers. Say no to people who can not articulate our collective hope and aspirations. Vote for true leaders who will help us rebuild our community. Vote for those who will work for us rather than work for themselves. Vote for those who will unite us rather than divide us. Vote for those who will arm our children with jobs and scholarship instead of AK 47s or Pump Action guns.
Ogirima wrote from Okene, Kogi State