GOVERNOR YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO – A fast rising star in the political firmament of the North and the Nigerian Federation By Dr Maiwaazi Manzo- Abubakar
INTRODUCTION
Historically the Constitutionally contrived North- Central Geopolitical region has produced many personalities of political significance who yielded pride of place to no one in the struggle against caliphal penetration and the just and ennobling endeavour for the affirmation of rights and recognition to all the religious and ethnic nationalities who cohabit and interconnect within the common geopolitical space called Northern Nigeria. Standing tall in this company is His Excellency Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, the two- term democratically elected governor of the confluence state of Kogi. The likes of the legendary Senator Joseph Sarwuan Tarka, El Hajj Abdulazeez Attah, Jonah Assadugu, Bello Ijumu, George Ohikere, General Salihu Ibrahim, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, Legendary Abutu Obekpa, Ameh Oboni, Mallam Gondo Aluor, former Governors’ Adamu Attah, Aper Aku, Solomon Daushep Lar, Jonah David Jang, Samuel Ioraer Ortom Adirogo, Senator A. T. Ahmed, Alhaji Badakoshi Bida, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu Bosso, Samuel Bala Kuta, Emir Ahmadu Bahago, Josiah Olawoyin, Senator Abubakar Olusola Saraki, Professor Albert Ogunsola, Dr. Edwin Ogbu, Shehu Musa, Orchivirigh Makeri Dzakpe , Senator Abaagu, Amos Bez Idakula, Etsu Muhammadu Nizebada, Bezhiyako Enock Jarumi, Are Bala Angbazo, Prince Rwang Pam, Hon Ogbuji, etc not in order of importance readily come to mind. All of the before- mentioned personalities made incalculable inputs in the composite engineering of the polyglot plurinational North – Central Geopolitical region specific to the quest for definition , identity and consciousness, for which the existing generation and generations yet unborn are eternally beholden to them. When political arrangements limited the organisational options to the regional level , some of the primal leaders aforementioned and their star – studded allies represented the variegated components of the fierce resistance against caliphal penetration, thralldom, fealty and the struggle for true fiscal federalism. Of course many of the leaders were part of the pioneering struggle for the procurement of flag independence from the British colonial masters. ORGANISING PHILOSOPHY OF GOV BELLO What has set Gov Yahaya Adoza Bello apart is his profound and sublime understanding that for Independence to be more real than rhetorical , it must be predicated upon concrete economic foundations. His insistence that citizens of the confluence state must preside the production, generation and distribution of their commonweal and that all the ethnic and religious nationalities should be mainstreamed not only in governance but also in the traditional Chieftaincy institution are some of the qualities which make Yahaya Bello so special. On his watch from the scattered farmsteads and homesteads of Ajaka, Agassa, Ihimma, Itobe, Isanlu, Iyara, Budon, Aguma, Gboloko, Gegu, Girinya, Ozi, Chikara, Tawari, Ahoko, Okengwe, Nagazi Ovete, Kupa to the mega towns of Okene, Lokoja, Anyigba, Kabba, Ajaokuta essentially and practically , all the ethnic nationalities have been given the sense and the reality of participation in governance not only through inclusive political appointments but the upgrade and creation of new Chiefdoms. Every tribe , every polity , every micro polity has been given a sense of belonging and concomitantly yielded space to self actualize in all materials particular. Every Kogite can proudly call himself an independent Kogite in the egalitarian and Commodious patronage distribution system, predicated as it were on the finest intellectual, philosophical and best governance traditions. Fundamentally the greatest achievement of Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello is the political sleight of hand that he has showcased in the midwife of a Pan- Kogi consciousness which transcends tribe and creed. Empirical ethnological studies have shown that the Anebiras, Igalas, Bassa- Nges have strong historical and cultural links with the Kwararrafa confederacy and could be situated as a proto- culture or to put it a bit charitably, a proto- complex with the Yorubas, from where the Okuns hail. One ( 1) week from now , His Excellency Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello shall complete the contract of good governance that he signed with the good people of Kogi State about 8years ago, but suffice to mention that his achievements in compassionate governance have been unprecedented and unequalled in the political annals of the Confluence state. All the Three (3) Senatorial Districts have state- owned Universities and the participation dynamic that has been let loose has effectuated in the entrenchment of a new ethos , the Peoples’ leadership ethos emotionally and psychologically. The realization that the primal office of the Governor should and would rotate to the Three (3) Senatorial Districts is entrenched and encrusted in the Kogi psyche. Little peccadilloes seem to be the focus of some critics of the relatively youthful Governor but it must be said that he came , he saw and he conquered ! Apart from governing the state with deftness , he modulated traditional leadership transitions in a way and manner not seen since the Confluence state was summoned into existence by Millitary fiat, to the acclaim of genuinely motivated Nigerians and the lament of the fifth column in his administration and extraneous fiery darts from the political factors who are bent on sabotaging his progressive inclusive mission and vision for Kogi State. It is impatient of debate that he constructed the first fly over in the historic metropole of Lokoja. It is equally true that he constructed many state – of – the – art specialist referral hospitals in Kogi State. Through his adroit stewardship of the hitherto so call tough complex state that was verging on bankruptcy , Governor Bello has demystified age and money and situated Kogi State as one of the fastest growing economies in the Nigeria federation. History and Posterity Shall be kind to Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello for decisively resolving the hitherto inherent lingering intractable contradictions which afflicts security – governance in Kogi State, given the Non- Millitary and Millitary Counterinsurgency measures that he orchestrated for tangible efficacious outcomes. He is a good conversationalist , a hearty raconteur who could deflate the chatter boxes and windbags who litter the Nigerian political scene with one thrust as he would round up with some Sally . A well deserved rest , yes and no. Service beckons at the Center in Abuja , where we hope to see him replicate the Kogi success story in what ever capacity the renewed Hope Administration of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR shall yield space to him to so perform.
By Dr Maiwaazi Manzo- Abubakar OMM MIMC ( Chairman BOT the JAGABAN OCTOPUS APC SUPPORT GROUP & Coordinator /Director General Presidential Mandate Salvagers PMS for JAGABAN- KASHIM SHETTIMA)