There is no doubt that Nigeria as a country is in dire need of sterling leadership to steer the course of affairs. Quality leadership has eluded us, sadly, even with the kids of men and women of outstanding accomplishments that God has endowed Nigeria with.
The same can be said of Kogi State. It was a promising state with all the potentials of greatness sitting pretty on abundance and strategically, connecting almost all the regions of the country.
All these can be harnessed for greatness by a forward looking and urbane leader who understands what the needs of the people are. There is no doubt that the state is in need of a leader. As the search for a leader who reflects the aspirations of the people gathers momentum, one name has resonated through the entire state. He is Mr Babatunde Irukera.
The unassuming Babatunde Irukera is the head of a government agency saddled with the responsibility of ensuring healthy competition among producers, encouraging entrepreneurship and protecting the interests of the consumer.
He has, over the years, built a solid background for himself as a people’s man in legal practice, home and abroad. His love for equality and equity, even at costs to himself has earned him a wide network of admirers, supporters and followers that cut across the elite and the masses.
As the digital age inevitably becomes a stark reality, the state, like any other state in Nigeria and the world, needs a leader that has emotional intelligence, unfeigned humanity, urbane approach to public issues, statewide acceptability and readiness to sit down and work.
All these are not in doubt, considering how his profile has risen since his days as a private legal practitioner and at the government agency. His tenure so far has been devoid of controversy.
The contentious issue of religion would not be any problem with this great man because he has shown incredible ability to deal in equal measures with people of various religious leanings.
It is my belief that such a man would be a great instrument of unity and speedy development of the State. Therefore, instead of all the names being thrown up here and there, we should all rally the support for who is who in Kogi west for him. This is to enable us to be taken seriously by the people of Kogi Central and Kogi East.
It is on the strength of the above that I am making a passionate appeal that in the spirit of fairness, we all need to throw our weights behind the people of Kogi West to produce the next governor of the state. This is because the people of Kogi East have served out their tenure and Kogi Central are on the verge of serving out their own tenure.
We will all agree that there is a need to create a balance among the components of the state.
God bless Kogi State.
Samuel Olayemi
from Kabba
Olaymeisamuel@gmail.com