The gubernatorial politics of Kogi State have attracted lots of permutations from those connected within and outside the state to the national level. To every informed observer, Kogi State presents a seemingly unique and informed brand of politicking, attracting both objective and subjective analyses of partisanship.
Let it be known that the conceived idea of a successive plan is not a constitutional right for governors; its reality is a function of many variables that validate the need for a worthy leader to have a successive plan.
However, what we have witnessed as a historical beacon in Kogi is a functionalist school of thought (structure-led change) and the genetic school (actor-led change). Needless to say, these approaches have been adopted as analytical instruments for other states, especially Lagos State and recently in Borno State, where a successive is said to be working.
The structural functionalist approach is premised on the assumption that political structures are built for efficient governance to deliver greater good to the majority of the people. This implies that, for a successive plan to be effective, there is a need for a party structural system that allows for total unity in diversity, irrespective of one’s interest and ethnography.
The functionalist school in a state like Lagos works in tandem with the genetic school, with the latter having a dominant effect. The structure creates and navigates to produce party flag bearers – at every defining moment. That’s why in Lagos today, what you hear is “Jagaban” orders must be duly followed. Tinubu controls Lagos till date because he was able to establish a successive plan and adopt it with his lieutenants.
If Tinubu, who was the Leader of the defunct ACN (Action Congress of Nigeria), can still be deciding for Lagos state elections, what makes you think it’s impossible with Gov Bello after leaving office?
You will agree that, lt was the former Governor of Kogi state, His Excellency Ibrahim Idris lack of successive plan that led to the disorganized system of People Democratic Party (PDP) coupled with His Excellency, captain Idris Wada laxity to structural functionalist politicking. An unhealed injury til date.
It therefore behooves on Gov Bello to delves into having a successive plan, like Jagaban of Lagos. The beneficiaries of his structure and benevolence should be frankly assessed and be made to comply to the successive plan so established. Having ruled for 7 years and delivered 25/25 state assemblies and 21 local government chairmen (first Time in history), HE has obviously outperformed his predecessor and can become a force if disregards at one’s peril.
Gov Bello’s actions/inactions over time had periodically confirmed his audacious tenacity and courage. In the objective (sectoral) assessment of many Kogites, Governor Yahaya Bello has the power to be a deciding factor after leaving office if necessary measures and machineries are put in place as a guiding plan.
But I am worried. Are we expecting a twist as a result of “National Might” or “negotiations and renegotiations” as to who governs Kogi state, knowing full well the involvement of Hon. James Faleke, whom some persons describe as the engine room to the President-Elect?
In all, I am not oblivious to the fact that Gov Bello almost singlehandedly facilitated the emergence of these senators and representatives of the various senatorial districts and Federal Constituencies in Kogi State.
In every system, there are powerful forces that control it, but the issue of Kogi state is special due to how Gov. Bello controls the structure. His courageous and audaciousnes is top-notch.
Gov Bello is respectful to the council of elders across religious and traditional lines and knows their needs at every particular period. Very well accepted by the youths who are part of the decision making of that, the poster man of the entrenched elites, and the issue of erring any godson or perceived most Loyal is based on personal conviction which of course is known to them.
Insofar the matter of successive plan is concerned, we must place all hands on deck and be willing to accept his successive plan if drawn as expected. The HOUSE must NOT FALL. Indeed, the All Progressive Congress (APC) MUST Prevail.
– Abdulkadir Bin ABDULMALIK is a seasoned political analyst – writes from Lokoja, Kogi State.
