Of Former Speaker, Kogi Politics and the Macabre Dance of the Irrelevant

By Kingsley Fanwo

In the last 48 hours, we have watched in measured awe, how a few renegades under  the former Speaker and former principal officers of the House, who have become suddenly interested in the affairs of Kogi State at a time when their intervention should have quietly flown in as compliments to the administration that has shown that what Kogi has been lacking all along was purposeful leadership.

As much as possible, those of us on the side of history have restrained ourselves from playing up the politics of the State House of Assembly for a dichotomy of reasons. One, what happens in the State legislature shouldn't be the concern of the Executive in a democratic setting that protects the principles of power separation. Two, we have clearly seen a nexus between the agitators for control of the House and politicians who crave to change the capital of Kogi to the Atlantic Ocean.
However, there are certain salient enlightenment we need to roll out to douse the thirst of ignoramus who are sworn enemies of an administration installed by God to liberate the people of Kogi State.
It is necessary to note that the former principal officers goofed by assuming they enjoy legislative powers even after their impeachment. It is an act of crass irresponsibility for anyone to be threatening impeachment notice on the Deputy Governor after he was constitutionally screened and cleared by the legislative arm of Kogi State Government.
The people of Kogi State are taking note of the romance between some legislators and certain elements who are out to distract the Governor of the State from its noble strides as less than a month in office.
The coalition of the disgruntled to achieve a discredited motive of stopping the march to greatness and transparency will surely be resisted by the good people of Kogi State. In some climes, those ex-lawmakers would have been subjected to some sanity tests.
A few questions for the promoters of impeachment: Where were they when Council allocations were siphoned from Lokoja and a pitiable percentage given to the Councils? Instead of questioning the monumental fraud, the legislators were collaborating to also pick up a million naira monthly, even as Local Government workers were owed salary arrears running into the deserts of 24 months. It is a case of the rich stealing from the poor.
Furthermore, the former principal officers and their collaborators should endeavour to answer our questions on their role when funds meant for the development of Small and Medium Term Enterprises were diverted into private pockets. As beneficiaries of the booties, they played along as the ruling class keep bleeding the commonwealth of the Kogi people.
One would imagine that the 2-3 billion naira released to develop businesses would have provided 10,000 direct jobs annually aside the bountiful multiplier effects. It shows that the over 50,000 jobless Kogites on the streets today owed their misfortune to the unfortunate corruption of the system.
The fake advocates of the people should also ask themselves what they did when pensioners were dying in an attempt to earn their pay. They kept mute while our senior citizens languish in abject poverty. Now, they are threatening impeachment because the system has made it impossible for the wealth of the people to be stolen.
The Government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello is a government of the people whose resources will begin to work for them. For years, Kogites have put up with the misdemeanour of the people in power.
From inception, the People's Governor declared war on corruption. He knew that the incurable corrupt will also declare war on him. Corruption has a way of fighting back but with the people, Kogi will win the war.
In his inaugural speech, the Governor swore to God to declare war on corruption. He told the people of the state that from January 27, 2016, their resources will begin to work for them. On this, he stands. There is no going back.
So far, so fair. Less than a month in Lugard House, ghost workers are beginning to see Kogi is a discomfort zone. The Civil Service is going through reforms for efficiency. Council workers are now receiving their full salaries for the first time in over four years. World Bank and other international organizations are getting back the confidence to invest massively in the state and broaden her economy. The people are beginning to see a leader who is leading from the front, fearlessly, incorrigibly.
This is the new Kogi State. Welcome to the Confluence of Possibilities. Join the train of transformation through a new direction. Those who have gone to court should leave the roforofo fight in court and stop overheating the polity, because, here, the people rule.
It is impossible to discredit the torrent of rave commendations this government is receiving. Civil Service reforms, Local Government Council financial autonomy, working with the work to create new frontiers are no doubt, bold steps dripping from a bold desire to place Kogi where it should belong.
With the people's support that is clearly evident, we shall get there.
Kingsley Fanwo is the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kogi State, writes from Lokoja.