Time to restore Kogi

I usually resist attempts to comment on the tribal politics of attrition that has locked Kogi State in time and drowned the keys in the confluence at Shintaku. But readers hold the upper hand and believe that I should not keep quiet while the state continues to drift.  Although my state is frozen in underdevelopment […]

I usually resist attempts to comment on the tribal politics of attrition that has locked Kogi State in time and drowned the keys in the confluence at Shintaku. But readers hold the upper hand and believe that I should not keep quiet while the state continues to drift.  Although my state is frozen in underdevelopment and drenched in massive poverty, the 27 aspirants jostling to take over from Accident Wada have generated N148 million for the All Progressive Party, APC the bride to beat in the forthcoming polls. 
These pieces have been edited only for clarity.
Hello Sir,
I have observed with disdain that you no longer beam your journalistic searchlight on the pitiable state of affairs in your State of origin (Kogi) and the political dynamics therein; especially at this time when the state is getting ready for the polls this year for election of a Governor. While I stand to be corrected on my above assertion, I dare say it is not out of place if you have lost hope in the kind of leadership and leaders being produced by the State over the years which have been characterized by sheer administrative ineptitude and irritations, a bestial catalogue of unpaid salaries and strikes, political rascality and continuing wasteful spending among other malaise which have erased the State’s name from the national dictionary of development.
Sadly, the leaders from and in the state (Audu, Dino, Eyitayo Lambo, Adoke, Wada etc) have been more notable for thriving in the business of falsehood, self-glorification, self-aggrandizement, and academic prowess instead of engineering an aggressive campaign or agenda for the development of the State. It’s indeed sad that we have continued to thread the self-depreciating path in politics for too long and need a re-think to enthrone a result-oriented leadership for our collective development.
Sir, considering your academic acumen, exposure, coupled with your usual humorous style and superb analysis of issues in your columns in Daily Trust and online, I feel you can start an aggressive campaign or critical analysis of developmental issues in the State; x-rays of the abilities and disabilities of candidates vying for the governorship position. You can review their programmes and agendas, discuss the dynamics and alignment of ethnic and religious forces across the three Senatorial zones of the State to enable many intending voters make informed choices. Many of the candidates especially those from the Central and West Senatorial zones have being crying foul over ‘marginalization’ and hammering on ethnicity as reasons why they should be voted instead of discussing serious issues. Voters are confused as to who, between Wada and Audu should get their votes based on their records of performance.
I ask you to make use of your wide reach, and other available channels to promote the need to elect a foresighted, visionary, industrious and result-oriented governor irrespective of tribe or religion and remain civil during the forth-coming elections.
To my mind, I believe you wouldn’t like your kids to inherit this kind of State with immeasurable opportunities run by shamelessly unconcerned leaders helpless and hapless masses.
Mashood Ahmed
Surveyors Council of Nigeria Headquarters,
Abuja.
And below, two comments on – Why Mr. President Must Change Tactics Now, July 28, 2015
Dear Tunde,
Your above captioned article made interesting reading. I thank you for being a patriotic Nigerian.
However, I wish to correct you on the following;
1. The President did not appoint an Acting INEC Chairman twice. The only person appointed by Mr President in acting capacity is Mrs Amina Zakari. Ambassador Wali was a stopgap put in place by Prof Jega when he was leaving.
2. In NIMASA, the outgoing DG was asked to hand over to the most senior official, but in his wisdom, he decided to handover to the wrong person. I believe that correcting the wrong is a mark of good leadership.
3. On the President’s statement in Washington DC, over those that believe in him and voted for him, he jokingly concluded his statement by saying even if I want to, THE CONSTITUTION WILL NOT PERMIT ME! You therefore owe your readers a duty to put that statement in context.
Besides that, you made some valuable points worth looking at by Mr President.
Thank you so much.
Babangida Dangora,
Hausawa, Kano.
Editor, be assured that I stand by every nuance of my article. They are factually very correct.
Hello Sir,
You just made my day. I have been worried, and I also had thoughts on the adrift nature of our governance at this stage.
I write to commend you because; I know how passionate you were of the Buhari campaign just like me, because we yearn for a better Nigeria.
However, I am getting disillusioned by the day. And I see ominous clouds ahead, God forbid.
Thanks for your article, all the same. I hope he or his advisers are reading.
Warm Regards
Abbas Suleiman