Yahaya Bello's Security Strategy And Charisma: A Justification For His Presidency »

Whenever the name of the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Dr Yahaya Bello, comes to mind, there is usually a striking idiosyncracy that is quickly ascribed to him: he is a leader by example. His general acceptability by Nigerians, especially the youth demographic gives credence to this assertion. His take and approach to the issue of governance in Kogi and the nation at large is legendary in modern Nigeria and given the chance, there is a tendency of the man birthing a new paradigm in leadership that would be to the admiration of the majority.

From the inception of his administration, Governor Yahaya Bello, (and please permit me to call him the Commander-in-Chief of Security Forces in Kogi State) has not stopped to amaze people and win their hearts with his ‘indescribable’ security modus operandi. The State has not remained the same since as it is the nightmare of the fifth columnists and profiteers of the nation’s insecurity.

The agenda was clear from the word go. When he assumed office as Governor, he declared loud and clear to the hearing of criminals in Kogi State that they either hands up or get ready to wear a pair of trousers with him. True to his words, the security apparatus in the state has been armed to the teeth and provided with necessary infrastructure and tooled up to meet the demands of modern day fight against men of the underworld.

As a demonstration of readiness to match his words with corresponding action, the athletic-looking Governor Bello put on his own security uniform and proceeded to the hideouts of kidnappers and bandits, beginning from his senatorial district after strategic meetings with relevant security agencies in the state. This is a brave move seen only in Hollywood and Nollywood Movies. In fact, many occupying public offices today prefer lip-service and empty promises than acting upon the words they say to citizens.

In broad daylight, the Oga Onu Ogwu Ata (a chieftaincy title of Servant of the War Lord conferred on him by the Ata Igala) brought down structures and vehicles belonging to the wicked people perpetrating crimes. Governor Yahaya Bello went to the scene himself to ensure the execution of the demolition of those hideouts of evil people in Kogi State. This was a bold steps that sent many tongues wagging with widened eyes.

One would have thought that as a governor, he should simply have instructed respective security agencies to carry out the assignment. But hell no! He would go to the scene and see things for himself.

As it was in Kogi Central, so was it in Kogi East and West. It was therefore not surprising that the state became rid of criminals and people began to sleep with both eyes closed. It sent signals to the perpetrators of evil that the former headquarters of Armed Robbery, kidnapping and other forms of criminality before 2016 had shifted somewhere else. It was no longer Kogi State and thus, the criminals took flight.

Expectedly, Governor Bello became an award winner for impeccable security architecture. Notable among the awards was that of the Nigeria Police conferred during Ibrahim Idris as Inspector General of Police. This is in addition to other awards won by the Governor from sister security agencies in Nigeria.

It was baring the achievements of Yahaya Bello on security in mind that the All Progressives Congress appointed him Chairman of Security Committee for the ruling party’s convention. And what did you see? His Excellency the security General was at the entrance to the Eagle Square, venue of the convention, on top of the bonnet of his own vehicle signalling and directing traffic and security. This is what a capable leader does. He directs, redirects and makes himself available at the scene of events no matter the consequences.

There is no doubt that Nigeria needs a man who is willing and capable of creating a peaceful and secure nation. Nigeria needs a man who does not provide excuses for non performance. Nigeria needs a man who takes risks to salvage his fatherland.

While I sufficiently respect every aspirant for the position of President of Nigeria come 2023, I want people to help me ask each and every one of them, especially those who had become governors in their states, how many times they dressed up and went with security operatives to the danger zones in their areas. None of them would raise his hand except the Kogi Governor.

A country that has been bedeviled with long term security challenges masterminded by boko haram insurgencies, farmers and herder clashes, banditry and kidnaping along with armed robbery, rape and ciber crimes needs Yahaya Bello for a permanent stop.

Security is key to a country’s progress. It constitutes a substantial proportion of a country’s critical development needs.

As the race for presidential ticket beckons, we should beam our searchlight on those with proven capacity in critical areas of national development. That is where we would all agree that after all considerations, the executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, remains the best hand, considering the feat he has attained as governor in the area of security.

I have written this article using only security as a yardstick for scoring Governor Bello high. Subsequent ones would be on other areas.

Gabriel Alhassan Ottah PhD is the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kogi State on Information and Communication and he writes in from Lokoja.