TRANSITION: Consolidating on a solid foundation, Bello’s parting gift to Ododo »

The early days of Alhaji Yahaya Bello’s governorship in Kogi state rained fire and brimstone and witnessed very troubling, turbulent thunderstorms that nearly capsized the ship of the young administration and bedevilled progress in many ways. Aside from the several wars and antagonism he had to face from the political bourgeoisie in Kogi state, whom his emergence radically displaced, there were those who held to the narrative that his mandate was stolen because of the shocking yet painful death of Late Prince Audu Abubakar.

Others, premised on his ethnicity which presumed that being in the minority, the young man from Agassa in Okene Local Government Area must not have a successful tenure, and they went all out to actualise their plans. The governor’s young age was a reg flag to very few elders statesmen and elites, some of whom also found his political ideology, strong will and unyielding spirit a threat to their continued elitism.

For Bello, his gubernatorial sail took off quite shakily, replete with several legal battles and venomous stings from political vipers, and when the ship eventually sailed halfway, media propaganda, political sabotage, insecurity, internal party crisis and a host of other issues were the thunderstorm that threatened to sink it into the deep sea, tossing it to and fro. As the captain of the New direction team, Bello constantly battled with his bare hands to keep his vision and head afloat, before it became another political titanic.

After eight years and a smooth transition in sight, the Governor-Elect, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo’s story would definitely be narrated differently and his experiences would be far better from what his predecessor had. This has been made possible by the labour, strength and commitment of a man, who through the stormy weathers navigated the difficult terrain and steered the ship into calm waters. The state might not be there yet, but the past of Kogi state have waved its current reality a resounding goodbye.

In the case of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, Just like the biblical allusion of David and Solomon where it was recorded that David’s years as kings was filled with tales of wars and conquests, David’s many victories brought Solomon the wise king many years of peace.

As Ododo journeys toward a smooth handing over, not only is Governor Yahaya Bello leaving behind giant infrastructural deposit in strategic sectors across the three senatorial district of the state, but with regards to Security, safety and cohesion, Governor Bello has transformed a one time renowned criminal hotbed and terror zone where criminals, criminality and their sponsors thrived into a much more peaceful and secured environment, where socio economic activities thrived and foreign investments have increased.

Governor Bello made sure that a state which was largely divided along tribal and religious sentiments became sewn together in unity, love and harmony. Unlike Bello, Ododo will start his governance with a more peaceful, united, harmonised and secured confluence state, inheriting a strong, dynamic and proven security architecture which has stood the test of time and have even received recognition and commendations from very strategic stakeholders.

What a good start, indeed!.

Similarly, Bello’s untiring hands on the wheels prompted his desire to reposition the civil service of the state towards maximum productivity and performance in the early days of his governance, yet this became another painful yet highly rewarding tunnel in his administration. In fact certain untrue perception earned during this season are still very difficult to shake off, as a result of the guerrilla approach which sponsors of this negative narratives embarked on, just in a bid to make the state ungovernable under him. As it stands, under Bello’s 8 years of work, Kogi state boast of one of the most efficient and effective civil service in the country, which is what Ododo will inherit.

Truly another good start, indeed.

The Education sector was in shambles before Governor Yahaya Bello took over as the governor. With a grossly inefficient or dilapidated Basic Primary and secondary Education across the state and a consistently striking higher institution which was riddled with inefficiency, low standard, insecurity, cultism and all sought of evil one could imagine. After eight years, the story is not the same. Majority of the primary and secondary schools across the state have received renovation interventions at one point or the other, in as much as a 100% result has not been guaranteed, the stride is a massive turn around from the gory experience of the past. Aside from this, the state government recently employed over 4,000 highly qualified teachers to fill up the manpower deficiency in the various schools across the state. When it comes to infrastructure, model science schools have been built across the three senatorial districts. In all the respective higher institutions of learning, efficiency and functionality has since been the watch word. Aside from the ‘’no strike’’ policy in the state owned university which has stayed unwavering, all issues of insecurity, concerns, cultism have been eradicated and poor academic standards have been duly improved upon to a very plausible extent.

Through Governor Bello’s desire to expand higher institution opportunities for young people in the state, he fronted the establishment of the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara and the recently established Kogi State University, Kabba. Ododo’s administration would surely start with a leverage in the education sector.

The All Progressive Congress was a new political party in the state when it won the 2016 gubernatorial election, although the party had won the presidency as well as some states and despite the fact that the party was coasting into victory before the demise of the late leader, Prince Abubakar Audu, the eventual outcome that led to the emergence of Gov. Bello divided the All Progressive Congress in the state into shreds. Many of those who were angered and bitter by the outcome and his eventual victory at the supreme court. While many remained in the APC fold, they distanced themselves totally from its activity and while they nursed their grievances, they waited patiently to have their pound of flesh.

The 2019 gubernatorial election, which was the second term bid of governor Bello was the right opportunity to test his political weight and of course the white lion delivered, his victory left political watchers grinning with shock. Years of his leadership, the All Progressive Congress has grown into a strong formidable pulling party with a data of over 500, 000 registered members across the state. The party under the leadership of GYB is replete with numerous victorious electioneering outings as well as stable leadership which has helped instilled discipline, loyalty and accountability as well as an institutional reward system. Alhaji Usman Ododo Ahmed upon assumption of office, will not have to toe the tiring and herculean path of conflict resolution, but that of growth, such is governor Yahaya Bello’s parting gift to Ahmed Usman Ododo.

It will be difficult not to make reference to commensurable synergy between the Arms of Government which has fostered growth and development, a situation which never existed until Governor Bello settled in as the governor of the state and similarly sustained till the very end, or the stability enjoyed In the Local government administration or the serenity and mutual cooperation in the traditional institution. Under the leadership of Governor Bello, ascension into stools which in time past were source of worries and concern have been conducted peacefully without rancour and communal clashes. His administration witnessed the passing of several prominent traditional rulers and also the emergence of new ones in a peaceful and acceptable manner.

In the arena National polity, Kogi’s light was not so shinning as previous leaders were comfortable with local politics except the late Prince Abubakar Audu who himself was a true cosmopolitan. Kogi state under the leadership of Yahaya Bello emerged as a sought after bride, the confluence of Nigeria appeared more in the news for every reason best known. Governor Bello attracted criticisms from all corners same way he received accolades from these quarters. It is renowned that in the history of Kogi state, no leader of the state have received such recognition and popularity. Now all eyes are often on Kogi state and such is a parting gift Ododo has received. Albeit, this particular blessing could be a two edged sword.

However for a leader who understands the weight of responsibilities that his successor would be bequeathed with, Bello took steps in ensuring that Ododo has been taken to every nooks and crannies of where politics matter in Nigeria.

In all of these, what is reflective is the beauty of a consolidation and continuity in government. No single administration can be clinical, governance should always be progressive and an advancement from a cycle of new direction to that of continuity.

Like him or otherwise, Governor Bello has written his own story and just like the biblical David, he fought many wars, lost few, had his many conquest, lost and gained friends, turned enemies into allies, made his own mistakes, corrected the ones permitted in the nick of time, edged his name in the history books and with every of his victories, he earned Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo a peaceful governance, a smooth take-off and a solid foundation to consolidate on. Such is a worthy parting gift to bequest to a worthy successor.

Written by Ademola Emmanuel Akadiri