I weep for my dear state. The pathetic situation in the land has murdered my sleep-John Paul

Fellow Kogites, our dear state is in now in isolation from the clime of it’s counterpart states. The emerging global innovative experience which forms developmental basic for others appear incoherent to the peddlers of our affair. Funny enough, they resonated as progressive characters with seamless commitment to human course.

But they are pretender-democrats who represent falsehoods. Their tenths are built on fallacies with admirers of brigand and ruffian ancestry. Where are their apostles of emotional solidarity? Those who can’t authoritatively descern between right and wrong but conceded to an all-time deceit to turn deaf ears against the rhythm of real change. I guess they are hiding in shame, am I right or wrong? What can we say about the aftermath of that gun point victory which birthed those non experienced aides who will soon ignite religious war or the 50k ceremonial rapists of commissioners with primary duties of ensuring unaccountable and irrelevant loans? Oh my dear Kogites, you have suffered too long in the hands of your oppressors.

The basis for second term of this government was to consolidate on its hitherto achievements. Even when it was apparent there was little or nothing, his noise was so loud, the media machineries each contradicting public opinion hood and sinker, and the Emperor was busy inaugurating his party-men who specializes in telling pathetic lies.

In the end, the victims of his overbearing stood their ground and rejected his goodwill messages. But unfortunately, their voices resonated from a tiny minority, hence, a subvalent between the people in power and the power of the people- the former prevailed and Yahaya Bello became the state governor for another four sleeping years. To those whose undaunted voices were not heard, or those whose souls were sent to their maker in the last election i say, continue to be with the Lord in our eternal home.

As things stand, they have gone into their cocoons leaving the state behind. And from social security to infrastructure and economic stability, Kogi state is stagnant- nothing is happening. As a matter of fact, the only news attached to the state government on National dailies is either on a raged violence or loan acquisition. They have borrowed over 80% above what is obtained in the last 20 years yet, the coffer is depleted, salaries are either been owed or paid in percentage and infrastructure is in its latest decay. This is the situation report at the moment. And to further sheathe their quid-pro-quos, projects attracting these humongous loans are initiated and executed on papers, not in the real world. For example, the state government claimed over N10 billion for projects never done on behalf of FG government in October 2019. We presumed it would make a good start for second term since he wasn’t paying contractors as claimed. Little did I know another borrowing had been initiated even before his second coronation.

Let me tell who cares, if nothing is done to stop the needless borrowing by the state government, not only will it be the biggest heist, Kogi state would be ungovernable for Yahaya Bello’s successors.

As we speak, the once most peaceful and tolerating confluence state is now the epicenter of criminals and all sorts of absurdity. From Kidnapping to banditary, robbery and ritual, the state is embroiled in violence and nobody is safe anymore. In fact, the height of man’s inhumanity to man orchestrated by desperation is unimaginable. Invariably, the peddlers are relentless and the unsuspecting masses wax in constant perplexity – every hope is dashed. This is the state where a governor was named the most security conscious and has received accolades for that.

I am beginning to give up on this country due to the heightened breathtaking hypocrisies. When accolades are not given base on merit but for favor and the enablers appeared undaunted by its  disastrous consequences. Anyway, it is even more worrisome that the media house involved in that award falls in the climes of commercial entities, and not for the sole purpose of what it really represents.  That is why, we may begin to question the position of the current Nigeria media in view of its unrivaled stance in our hitherto freedom struggles. Most especially, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ Kogi state chapter). I am yet to phantom why such a sacred body could descend so low to the extent that members could leave their duty post, risked their lives and traveled from far away to Lugard house where they were given Android phones as tools for information dissemination. What a pity on a noble profession which some of us avowed to pursue to climax. However, it’s apparent certain records need to be straightened. I think those claiming that reporting system in Kogi state is poor are wrong. Do you know why? The overseers of our affairs understand the implications of independent media in a rotten economy like ours. So they quickly and tactically bought it over. And at the moment, there is no media outlet that is truly independent in the state irrespective of who’s involved- they are all at the beck and call of the white Lion’s government.

That is even the least of my worries at the moment. Supposedly, a well meaning leader should be on the wheel piloting real business of governance at this time. But as political gamers, what is trending in Kogi state now is 2023 permutations. The governor and his deputy had gone a separate way, and each staring fixatively at the drawing board and taking actions where necessary. But then, do you think power shift would favor the dominating majority in 2023? Let’s discuss this in a later episode.

Again, I weep for my dear state. The pathetic situation in the land has murdered my sleep and I may not go to bed soon. How could such a young lad be so bereft of ideas? Funny enough, the gangs he has inaugurated may not dissolve soon, not now. As a matter of fact, those seeking legal redress on the prevailing injustices are fighting the wind. And I strongly advised that further litigation should be sheathed. Neither Yahaya Bello nor his racketeers of that phyrric victories can be dethroned because the road leading to justice in Nigeria was sold to the people in power long ago. As a matter of fact, Nigerians in our usual celebration of mediocrity would accord Yahaya Bello a titular honor of statesmanship after 2023- this is the gospel truth. We live in a society where no one can beat the people in power but rather join them to avoid been consumed.

I wish the maker of heaven and earth delivers Kogi state from the hands of the enfant terribles at the helm of affairs. And I hope, my dear Kogites would learn their lessons (in more bitter ways) so as to rise in search of their destinies. People are dying. Orphanage homes are filled with children of assassinated parents. Wives/husbands are stripped of their beloved spouses and the street is filled with  huge flowing blood whereas, our leaders are snoring in deep sleep.

Two things are worrisomely obvious; the state is not without people at the helm of its affairs, but the people are without leaders. Consequently, those at the helm of affairs cater for cosmic wealth alone, and have abandoned the people whose affair they are employed to carry out. Right now, the ownership of the land is restricted to few who had successfully brainwashed the entire people into patronizing them as saviors and messiahs. This is how the unsuspecting masses became less necessary in their own fatherland. And if you must take control of your scabbard, aligning with the people in power is the sure mean. But to achieve this, you must rig election and buy justice- that is the norm in Kogi state. Face it or remain vulnerable to all forms of vices laying hold of the state at the moment.

But to be candid, I never saw it coming. In short, I was hopeful that the young lad would change the narrative. But here we are sinking to earth daily.

May God deliver Kogi state.