Kogi 2015: The variables that will change the equation

The media has been abuzz with unsubstantiated and often hollow anti-government allegations pelted by the opposition. A thin section of the media which finds a convenient ally in the opposition, including paid columnists and politically inclined and biased public affairs analysts, have joined in the spread of falsehood, trying to malign the personality of the […]

The media has been abuzz with unsubstantiated and often hollow anti-government allegations pelted by the opposition. A thin section of the media which finds a convenient ally in the opposition, including paid columnists and politically inclined and biased public affairs analysts, have joined in the spread of falsehood, trying to malign the personality of the governor and in the process deliberately misinforming the public.
By the desperate estimation of the inventors of the lies, Governor Wada has really done nothing since he assumed office in January 2012; is corrupt or has done little to curb corruption or is just a lame duck governor who sits back while nothing happens. At best, there may have been no presence of governance these past three years! Over time, authors of anti-Wada comments in the Diaspora appear to have keyed into the blame job without anyone taking their time to do an appraisal of the true situation of in the state.
With the Kogi State governorship election around the corner, yes the election will be an isolated one no doubt, but it is very safe to say that the state by every political parameter is a PDP-controlled state with solid structures at the grassroots.
Analysts have also agreed that the 2015 presidential election result is not a yardstick to gauge the strength of the APC victory describing that victory as a flash in the pan.
There seem to also be these frantic efforts to discredit and portray Captain Wada as clueless and an unpopular choice in some section of the media by certain person(s), especially those having an eye on the governor’s seat and their agents.
Amidst the several efforts to build human and critical infrastructure in the state in the last three years, within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition, there has been unfounded, baseless and hate campaign tailored towards casting aspersions on the person of the governor.
As a bonafide member of the PDP, it is important to place on record that Capt. Wada in 2011 won the party’s ticket in a free and fair primary. It is also unfortunate to begin to question his membership of the party after that was validated by the Supreme Court.
A look at where the state was when he assumed office shows that remarkable progress in all spheres has also been made. Wada in a free and fair PDP primaries will emerge victorious and go ahead to win the general election.
Talking about credibility, the PDP in Kogi when compared with the opposition party, APC has no rival in terms of quality and quantity. The party therefore remains the party to beat in any election because of the appropriate leadership style offered the state by Wada.
A look at the credentials of those who aspired to govern the state in 2011, aside the governor, the only person who could also be adjudged as one with the right qualities to also govern the state then was Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isa Kutepa. The others lack the capacity, capability, are inept and have corruption charges hanging on their necks. And the state came out the better for it after the January 2011 primaries as the party discovered the gross mistake and irregularities that characterised the process.  
As governor, Wada introduced a scientific approach, tailored towards creating the environment for unlocking the natural and human potentials of the state. His prudent use of resources was a departure from the norm where money was shared to thugs. His preference of investing in a positive youth development programme instead of promoting thuggery is one of reasons behind the smear campaign to run him down.
Amidst several challenges Wada met on assumption of office, three years down the line, and taking stock, it is safe to say that by the available records, the verdict has been that of good performance, devoid of noise making by the administration.
The governor’s desire for quality work in the execution of projects across the state has ensured the putting in place of a vigorous procurement process devoid of the usual shady deals that often trail contract award to unqualified contractors and for political patronage.  
Since 2012 when he assumed office, the state receives between N3.5 billion to N3.7 billion as allocation. The wage bill of the state is put at N3.2 billion, a figure that barely leaves the government with a little above N200 million to run the state after salaries have been paid.
Presently the Staff strength of teachers in the state is put at 33,000 with an expected wage bill put at N1.3 billion. More than that amount is however required to pay the N18000 minimum wage. Unfortunately, what the teachers got to pay salaries for the month of March and April, 2015 was N1billion. Aside certain technical challenge to teachers in some local government areas, salaries of all teachers in the state would have been paid to date.
Similarly, the total staff strength of the entire Kogi State council workers stands at 26,542 as at March ending. The expected monthly wage bill needed to offset the workers’ salaries at that level of government is put at about N1.6 billion. Unfortunately, the councils do not get up to that. But in all, all councils are up to date in salary payment.
The administration has since assumption of office ensured that funds are committed to the completion of inherited projects.  At the last count, the administration has not only completed payment for the greater Lokoja water project, the confluence stadium, phase two of the state secretariat, confluence beach hotels, and several unfinished roads it inherited have been completed. For the record, the Wada administration has so far completed 58 road projects across the state. Others are on-going.
It would therefore be wrong when commentators, out of mischief, to satisfy their pay masters, write on the forth coming governorship election, with the overwhelming support the PDP has over the APC and other parties, that Alhaji Jibrin Isah would have no choice but to adopt as an alternative platform to achieve his ambition since his desperation to be governor is insatiable.
The race to occupy Lugard House, the seat of government for another four years in Kogi State, leaves Wada as the man to beat. Though he is yet to indicate his interest to run as stipulated by the constitution, political analysts have without conjecture or for wanting to be sensational, understand that the incumbent governor has the ability and what it takes to bring about the desired result in a governorship election.
Recall that he defeated Prince Abubakar Audu, who today is the best candidate of the APC, in the 2011 governorship election.
Yusuf wrote from Dekina, Kogi State.