I write about a worthy man, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Adoza, whose leadership style does not dwell on ethnic and religious inclinations. An obvious characteristic that has led to the indivisibility and indissolubility nature of our dear state as the confluence of opportunities.
Whilst we are inadvertently overwhelmed by the thoughts of the uncertainties surrounding this imminent succession of His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Adoza and by the burden of choosing from the pool of potential successors who we think the cap fits,
We are also concerned, and rightfully so, about the future and the assurance of the continuity of excellence and legacy projects of His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Adoza. The anxiety is palpable, the distress is audible, and the solicitude for the future of our dear state is just not clearly perceptible.
And the future, we pray, is one that will assure the consolidation of the gains achieved through the visionary leadership of Gov. Yahaya Bello and continuity along the same trajectory of visionary and transformative governance.
But I have found solace in the thought and genuine belief that there’s a particular person whose concern over these issues supersedes mine and yours. He is a person who has expended almost all of his energy, time, and resources — his brains, blood, and sweat— doing the thankless job of making our state great again as though his life depends on it. He’s that one person that crosses your mind when you read about Kogi’s gubernatorial primaries.
In as much as there are conflicting analyses as to what “EbIgO” represents in its actual context, we must to a large extent put into context the conception of these aspirants, their antecedents in their respective authorities, and the likelihood of sustaining and preserving the legacies of His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello.
Ad-hoc delegates must espouse the idea of sustainability and continuity in the state’s progress. A greater and more fulfilling Kogi State must be prioritized. It’s not about ethnicity, religion, or even senatorial district. What matters are the road map, their capacities, proven integrity, audacity to dare, even representation, just financial appropriation, and human empowerment initiatives.
Except for a few, most of what we read online are conceived ideas that are driven by interest, ethnicity, and religious inclinations.
Amidst this mix of reactions from various quarters as to who will succeed His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, I do not think His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello is unaware of the sensitivity of the situation, nor do I think he is disinterested in the preservation of his legacies. I believe that for him, preserving these legacies and ensuring the consolidation and continuity of the feats attained so far is in fact a matter of life and death.
So I have decided to trust his judgment in this matter of succession while praying to Allah that, in His infinite mercy and benevolence, He would choose for us the BEST, for He knows best.
As prayed, the HOUSE must NOT FALL.
– Abdulkadir Bin Abdulmaliki, a seasoned political analyst, writes from Lokoja, Kogi State.