Kogi state political taxi and its drivers so far by Mohammed James

The political taxi of Kogi state was given to the Ebira, Igala, Okun, Nupe, Ogori, Magongo, Oworo and Eggan people on 27th August, 1991 by the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The first political driver of the state, Danladi Mohammed Zakari was employed by the federal government to drive over two million kogites to their destinations. Mr. Zakari drove the taxi for 6months before he handed it over to Late Prince Abubakar Audu in January, 1992. Prince Abubakar Audu being part of those who had advocated for the creation of Kogi state and a notable son of the soil, was invited to take over the taxi which he drove for less than two years before the federal government forced other drivers on us – Colonel Paul Omeruo (December, 9, 1993 – August, 22, 1996), Colonel Bzigu Afakirya (August 22, 1996 – August, 1998), Augustine Aniebo (August, 1998 – May, 1999).
Because of the confidence Kogi people have on Audu driving skills, he was handed over the key of the taxi on May, 29, 1999. Audu drove the taxi for four years. He succeeded in working on the external part of the car. He worked more on the body and left the engine un-serviced. The engine was seriously making a lot of noise, but he (Audu) paid deaf ear to it. Seeing the taxi at a glance, one will think it is the best taxi so far in the country, not knowing that the engine is nothing to write home about.
Experts who see that the vehicle might stop working at anytime despite its attractive look, clamoured for a new driver. They succeeded in hiring Alhaji Ibrahim Idris and the key of the taxi was handed over to him on 29th May, 2003. He drove the car for nine years. Having known that the problem of the taxi is the engine, Ibrahim Idris worked on the engine leaving the body untouched. He drove the car recklessly, damaging its part but the engine was intact and well-serviced.
In January 2012, the good people of Kogi state handed over the key of the taxi to a new driver, Captain Idris Ichalla Wada, hoping    that he will work on the body of the taxi already damaged by his predecessor.  Unfortunately, Idris Wada who had never attended any driving school damaged both the engine and the body of the taxi leaving the travelers in a very confused and unfamiliar state. At this point, the people lost hope on all the drivers so far, after which they decided to hire again their first indigenous driver for the third time, having seen that he is better than Idris Wada who is not even ready to repair the already damaged vehicle. But unfortunately they lost him to the cold hands of death, leaving the people in a more confused atmosphere. (Rest in Peace, Prince Abubakar Audu)
The question now is ‘who is to take over the taxi after the firing of Ibrahim Idris and the death of Prince Abubakar Audu?’Before his death, Audu had a conductor, Honourable James Faleke but the truth is that he is a mere conductor and he had never learnt anything from his late boss. He was transferred from Lagos to the state to learn how to drive a big taxi carrying over two million people, and unfortunately he lost his boss when he has not learnt anything. If he is given the taxi, he may end up killing all the travellers because he was not brought up at home and he does not understand the in and out of the state.
Then, there were confusions all over the state, until various driving schools were consulted to give the state an indigenous driver who is an expert in driving, at least someone that had shown interest in driving the state before, someone that understands the in and out of the state and someone that is willing to put the taxi in order for the purpose of moving the travelers to their destinations and not for personal gain. That was how Alhaji Yahaya Bello emerge the new driver of Kogi state political taxi on 27th January, 2016.
Since his emergence as the new driver of Kogi state political taxi, Governor Yahaya Bello has been working on both the engine and the body of the taxi. As many applaud the governor for his good work so far, others condemn him for not moving them to their destinations on time. Some blamed him for working on the body of the taxi when he is supposed to concentrate on the engine at least to take them away from the forest where they found themselves right now before thinking of working on the body
Yes, these people are right; you can’t be working on the body of a taxi while the engine is nothing to write home about. But I want to let you know that the taxi had not started moving, it is at the point of repair. Mechanics are working on the engines and while panel-beaters are working on the body. All we need now is a little patience with the new driver, as he is willing to drive Kogites to their various destinations. The taxi is totally damaged, thank God, not beyond repair, so there is enough hope for us. Let’s support the governor in prayers as we expect him to move us all to our various destinations.

Mohammed James Dada
08153744780
Beckjames4christ@gmail.com