Re: Kogi crisis: Buhari should not sit on the fence

Daily Trust Newspaper’s policy of right to reply has always elicited my interest to it. I wish to respond to the vituperations contained in Mr. Femi Olugbemi’s opinion in the Daily Trust’s opinion column of Wednesday, March 30, 2016. The central thesis of his opinion beside the insults and innuendos is that his principal, Hon […]

Daily Trust Newspaper’s policy of right to reply has always elicited my interest to it. I wish to respond to the vituperations contained in Mr. Femi Olugbemi’s opinion in the Daily Trust’s opinion column of Wednesday, March 30, 2016. The central thesis of his opinion beside the insults and innuendos is that his principal, Hon James Faleke was not sworn in as the Governor of Kogi state. He presented a gloomy picture of Kogi state as a place which is gliding towards anarchy. He said inter allia that “the prevailing political situation in our state has the tendency to snowball into anarchy”. He also mentioned, “the volatile security situation in our state”.
Olugbemi also casted aspersion on the personality of President Mohammed Buhari, stating that he is “sitting on the fence”. He also stated that Alhaji Yahaya Bello is a wrong beneficiary of the election.
My take is that we should put our personal perceptions, prejudices, sentiments and idiosyncrasies on hold and allow the courts to adjudicate. Secondly, there is no anarchy in Kogi State and there is no political situation or trends which are tending towards anarchy. There is nothing to be “nipped in the bud” to use the phraseology of Mr. Olugbemi. Far from the opinion of the writer, Kogi state currently is the opposite of an anarchical state. There is peace and tranquility in Kogi state.
Furthermore, good governance is ongoing in Kogi state. The rights and privileges of the people are not being trampled upon. The third plank of the writer’s argument is what he referred to as Mr. President’s “indifference so far to our plight”. He said it is a source of disappointment and concern for “our people” who voted for Mr. President and ensured his victory. Which people?
It is no gain saying that President Muhammad Buhari’s pedigree is well known to many Nigerians. He is reputed to be a man of principles who does not play to the gallery. Double standard is not in his character.
Alhaji Ibrahim M. Out, Lokoja, Kogi State