AS GOVERNOR AHMED USMAN ODODO EMBARKS ON THE POLITICAL VOYAGE IN HISTORY,THE MANY EXPECTATIONS OF KOGI PEOPLE
By Musa Bakare
Uneasy is said to be the head that wears the crown. Now that the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in its landmark judgement of Friday the 23th August 2024 has affirmed the victory of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo as the authentic winner of the Kogi State gubernatorial election of 11th November 2023, the expectations people from his administration is indeed very great and multifaceted.
The people of the state in their expectations of what the new Governor should do in office must sincerely advise and work vigorously with him, engage with him with those facts and processes that will not only heal some festering wounds of the past, as I attempt to do with this submission.
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It is imperative for the Governor to be extra magnanimous in victory and immediately embark on an elaborate reconciliation and reconstruction process of the minds and soul of the people of the state.
The Supreme Court judgement has finally put to rest the controversies and uncertainties surrounding the election. It is now time for the Governor and the people of the state to begin to focus on the need to rebuild the terribly damaged blocks of unity binding the People.
The Supreme court judgement should be seen by Ahmed Usman Ododo as well as the people as victory for all Kogi people, an opportunity to chatting a totally new path.
The governor should be encouraged to understand the importance of seeking advice and counsel from a wide range of individuals across different demographics in the state, irrespective of age or leaning. He should be advised not to only rely on his inner circle but rather involve the wide spectrum of Kogi elders, Kogi leaders, and key stakeholders and elders in our party, the APC in a sincere deep-rooted reconciliation and healing process.
The governor should urgently invite Alhaji Haddy Ametuo, the foundation Chairman of APC in the state, leaders and elders of the party that midwife and pioneered the formation of the party, that drove the party to an overwhelming victory in the 2015 gubernatorial election, to advise him on the urgent need to convocating an assembly of true party members, especially the deeply aggrieved party members that had been sidelined since the party won the gubernatorial election in 2015.
These party members were majorly instrumental to the party’s victory in the gubernatorial election of 2015 and painfully feels that they have not been given the recognition and respect they deserve by the government.
They seek inclusion and involvement in decision-making processes to ensure that their voices are heard in the Ododo administration
Some notable individuals too numerous to be mentioned here, foundation members of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kogi State should be invited, reconciled with and appeased.
APC Kogi State must stop pretending that all is well or that whoever is aggrieved, not happy and not content can go to hell. The governor should borrow from the wisdom and experience of great leaders of this world that bent backward to accommodate and reconcile his people towards fostering unity, oneness, togetherness and consequently enthrone the process of positive political growth and development.
Going forward, It is crucial for Governor Ododo to steer clear of some individuals whose stock in trade is politics of bootlicking, sycophancy,eye service and lies.
Personalities that will only tell him what he wants to hear towards lining their selfish interests.These type of individuals are mostly very unstable, known to always find themselves in an opportune proximity with the governors, to not positively contribute to the success of the administration but to hinder progress and create divisions, discontent and tension.
The new administration must avoid been accused of exclusionary and divisiveness among the people of the state and among members of the ruling Political party.
Governor Ododo should as a matter of urgency prioritize the general interests of the people of Kogi State above few person’s personal gains and work towards building a strong and inclusive administration that caters to the needs of all citizens, give the people a new lease of life and at all times be seen as overtly transparent in decision making and allocation of resources. By ensuring that his administration is open and accountable to the people of Kogi State, Governor Ododo can build deep trust and credibility with the people.
He should always remind himself of the fact that four years or even eight years in office runs very fast, he should from the beginning be mindful to work diligently towards leaving a positive legacies that will be fondly remembered long after his tenure has ended, by focusing only on those things that makes a lasting impact on the lives of the people of Kogi State and set a precedent for future leaders to follow.
Governor Ododo, you have embarked on a voyage that will solidify your place in history. As a leader, you should dedicate your term to serving God Almighty and the people of your state wholeheartedly. Your focused legacy should be the progress, development, and prosperity of your people. You must see the entire state as your constituency, strive to be a leader for all of the people of Kogi, regardless background or political affiliation, you should work tirelessly with the right people to improve the welfare and lives of the people.
By implementing policies and programs aimed at reducing discontent, friction and poverty, increasing access to education, and promoting economic growth, commitment to good governance and transparency will, surely will earned for you the trust and respect of the people.
The Governor should take heed of the lessons learned from the history of the former governors of the state, learning from their mistakes and avoiding the pitfalls that plagued their administrations can ensure for him a more successful and effective governance of the state.
He must prioritize the improvement of the and welfare of the people of Kogi State. Previous administrations have been criticized for neglecting key areas such as healthcare, prompt payment of salaries and pensions, neglect of education and infrastructure and so on , which has had a negative impact on the quality of life of the people. The new administration must make it a priority to invest in these critical areas and ensure that the people of Kogi State have access to the services their money can give
To deeply address these expectations and concerns, the regime of Ahmed Usman Ododo must work towards building unity and inclusivity in the state. Every Kogi citizen must be made to believe that they own the state together through a serious rejuvenation of the entire state superstructure.
This requires open communication, collaboration, and a commitment to serve the interests of all citizens, regardless of tribe and tongue, party affiliation or social status.
The regime of Ahmed Usman Ododo has a responsibility to meet the expectations of the people of Kogi State. By working towards these goals, the government can build a stronger and more prosperous future for the state and its citizens.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, i wish you success !
*Musa Bakare* writes from Lokoja, capital of Kogi State, Nigeria
24 August, 2024
