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By: Ahmed Attah / March 12, 2023.
Two things that many Nigerians do seem to know little about the Governor of Kogi state His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello popularly called GYB are his unflinching influence and unpredictable disposition in the Nigerian political game.
Those who could recall the skeleton of his speech recently in his declaration, he is still on seat of power as a governor but which he has continued to influence the entire nation, ‘sitting tight’. It has continued to remind the people how GYB is displaying the highest level of his political astuteness, chivalrous patriotism, exceptional statesmanship and inspiring gentlemanliness.
It was a day GYB told Nigerians and the world that Nigeria, unlike any other country on the mother earth, was greater than any individual. GYB, unarguable conducted the freest and fairest 2020 election Nigeria has ever witnessed in the past. That he also believed that the peace, unity and prosperity of the country will not to be compromised for individual, ethnic, religious or regional sentiments and manipulations in 2023.
For those who may yet not know the implication of the phrasal verb “to sit tight”, the man searched his heart, consulted with the people that mattered then and now and decided to give peace its due course in the country, and with the ever glaring people who have realized that he is doing well and therefore has call him to duty. If it is the will of God that 2023 be the beginning of real change for our beloved country, let say a big amen.
The Nigerian and international newspapers have of recent been awash with the news of the ploys for the stepping-in of the Nigerian political colossus to Aso Rock.
Maybe the dream I had about these unfolding events three years ago will turn out to be true. But I think this is not a proper avenue to discuss it. However, the greatest news in the dream is that Nigeria will remain united, stronger and attain development,
The unity of this country has often been threatened with regional demands. All over the world, countries are uniting together to be stronger. That is why the unity of Nigeria should be paramount. It is also why the president must be the person who cannot toy with the unity and strength of the country. GYB is primarily the Governor of Kogi state because of his love for the unity of his people and if he achieved anything so far, the greatest was the sustenance of our indivisibility at the time our then nascent democracy let the people loose.
GYB is one Nigerian who has strived to keep the country united and strong in several aspects. I need not mention his achievements. He has every right to aspire to rule Nigeria under a democratic setting. Nigerians should try him in a democratic atmosphere and see his genius turn this country around for better, because events of the present shows that he possesses the experience, the guts and the vision for a greater Nigerian in a democracy.
While in Abuja to mediate between the South and Northern Nigeria due to blockage of food inflow,
GYB spoke as a true, patriotic and detribalized nationalist. He was of the opinion that for the nation to make any appreciable progress, it must practice true peace and unity which he insisted was the issue for Nigeria.
Hear him speak, “There is no such thing that I am the only solution to Nigeria’s problems. I am not the absolute solution to Nigeria’s problems, but I can only make my contributions.
“Nigeria is the only country I have, at least, I have a contribution to make. What I want is for all of us, politicians, to be very tolerant. If we are tolerant, we will be able to move the country forward.”
Already, several rallies have been staged for the presidential ambition of the genius. A great number of political bigwigs in the every part of the country have openly and secretly endorsed him. Others are doing so individually and from the look of things, there may be a house-to-house campaign for GYB presidential bid.
For me, Nigeria needs the best heads to push it forward. Some of those who criticize human beings sometimes pretend to be saints. No man is ever free from mistakes, however minor. There are those who so much about repairing Nigeria, only to eat their words and become the worst enemies of democracy and the nation when they succeed in joining the leadership. Such people know themselves. So, considering the critical moment our country is facing, Nigerians should consider the best for 2023. They should defeat ethnic, religious and transcend political workings for the real change we all desire.
The simple fact is if God says GYB will be the next president of Nigeria, no one can stop it.
GYB has been attending public function, preaching the way forward for Nigeria. I do not think he is doing so merely because of his presidential ambition. No one needs to be told that he has been consistent in defending the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria.
The media which fought for democracy should sustain the tempo with which it defeated military dictatorship. They should continue to fight for the complete enthronement of democratic tenets and values. GYB will definitely add values to the lives of Nigerians if given the opportunity. He will surely be the APC candidate to beat. However, we shall continue to monitor events until other declares their interests.
CHIEF (HON) AHMED ATTAH is Special Adviser to Governor Yahaya Bello on Special Duties, Acting APC Zonal Chairman Kogi east of Kogi state and Chairman Nigeria Youth Initiative for Good Governance & Rule of Law anchoring Yahaya Bello Presidential Council,
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