The race in Kogi: Sanusi Abubakar is the one to watch

Sanusi Abubakar

As the hands of clock tick towards 2015 December governorship in Kogi state inch approaching, the game of who would govern the state may be an interesting one, as players trying to outsmart one another in the political calculation, with observers saying the race may likely show surprise.

Everywhere you go in Nigeria, the desire for positive change appears evident that Kogi State is no exception.  It is believed that predominance of particular leaders or group in power usually lead to dictatorship and cult of personalities; indeed, this fear largely explains why people anywhere express the desire for change.  Heredity is therefore, inconsistent with democratic mood.

Let us flash back to history of Americans political experiment of recent; after eight years with the Bush administration, which deeply divided Americans emotionally over certain national issues, the desire for change became desperate.  This desire for change became so strong that the Americans were ready to put aside racial factors and elect someone that represented their aspiration for change.  The emergence of Barrack Obama was a reflection of that movement for change.

It is imminent that any administration that failed to make remarkable impact and running out of ideas should simply give way for change. This naturally informed the emergence of Ebira/Okun Equity and Justice Forum to wrestle power from the Igala brothers who have been running the affairs of the state, simultaneously.   A reader of the political sociology of Kogi State would no doubt agree with me that achieving this feat would be a gigantic leap forward that would harmoniously open up intra-ethnic group relation in the state.

For the benefit of positive change in the state, the All Progressive Congress (APC), the pathfinder platform for change in the country, should be able to intelligently read the minds of the people for change than follow the kingmaker’s mentality, which has badly destroyed the quality of our democratic system in the state.  The party should be wise enough also to identify a candidate (aspirant) that enjoys the goodwill of the ordinary people.

The man that will carry them to the Promised Land is Alhaji Sanusi Abubakar (Gamji).
What is more interesting too, is that, his has progressively dominating the political landscape in the state like a shooting star; he has continued to be mentioned by political pundits in Kogi State.  The beef however, is that, Alhaji Sanusi should come up and contest the December 2015 governorship election in the State.  Also, the spontaneous agitation by the youths of Kogi State, urging Alhaji Sanusi to take up the challenge of leading the desired change for a better future is a strong political statement.

As the call becomes louder by the day, it is understood that, as a lover and virtuous listener of his people, he has eventually heeded to the clarion calls and answer the prayers of the people.  They believe that his success at the forthcoming APC party primary and subsequent victory at the poll would no doubt, rewrite political history in a state that lives by ethnic disconnection, and administrations that forbids fair play, justice and equity.

Ambition, is not a crime, most importantly when the people are driving that determination. Alhaji Sanusi is not one of those hungry politicians who are desperate for power to accumulate wealth.  His passion and compassion for the people so far are clear signs that he is a politician determined to make a difference.  

Isah Itopa Idris, publisher, Abuja.