By joshua 
The quest for credible successor to carry on with the onerous task of rebuilding a state has always been a herculean task for outgoing Governors in Nigeria since the return to democracy in 1999. No incumbent Governor in Nigeria’s political history has idly stood while his successor is being shopped for. In Benue State, the current Secretary to Government of the Federation, George Akume had a say in the process that threw up Gabriel Suswan as his replacement in 2007. What about Edo State? Adams Oshiomhole, the then Comrade Governor vigorously campaigned for Governor Godwin Obaseki and whatever came out of this engagements are better left for another time for discourse.
To avoid the risk of committing Afghanistanism in the journalism parlance, Fancy Media Team (FMT) reminisced that a replica of the template was utilised in 2011 by former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris. Ibrahim Idris, for the sake of emphasis, remains the longest serving elected Governor of Kogi State since its creation in 1991 having spent nine years in Lugard House. He threw his weight behind the gubernatorial ambition of another Idris (Wada), his in-law in 2011 against all odds and ensured victory for the Peoples Democratic Party.
It would be recalled that despite calls from various quarters for a change or shift of power to Dr Phillips Omeiza Salawu who dutifully served as Deputy to Ibro, the Governor had insisted that the choice of the PDP system be upheld. Like a torchbearer, Governor Ibro guided and guarded his in-law in consultations with stakeholders within and outside the state until the latter got to Lugard House as Executive Governor of Kogi State.
Fancy Media Team asks, what terrible sin has Governor Yahaya Bello committed for supporting the candidate that his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) threw up for November 11th election? Governor Yahaya Bello is a core party man who has incurable aversion for failure in political contests. He has done his best to ameliorate the inherited suffering of the people of Kogi State and this has translated to resounding harvest of victories for his party in previous elections. Why should anybody in Kogi State suddenly begin to express profuse anger whilst promoting failed regressive ‘Ajeda’ when the same established template deployed in 2011 to elect Governor Idris Wada is being used?
Governor Yahaya Bello has been an asset to his party, the All Progressives Congress and Kogi State in general. At various points in time, he was drafted to participate in campaign activities for Governorship elections in neighbouring states of Ondo and Ekiti State. Governor Yahaya Bello brought his youthful vigour to bear, sojourned every nooks and cranny of both states which made his party recorded seamless victory.
Fancy Media Team also adds that nationally, the APC felt the vibe with the yeoman’s job he did by galvanising the country’s youths as the Director General of the Youth Arm of the National Campaign Council in the last Presidential Election. The stamina he dissipated was obvious and all and sundry saw that he is the man for the job.
The moment for Governor Yahaya Bello to replicate such feat in his state is now and he has been tireless in his bid to once again ensure victory for the APC in Kogi State. Like Governor Ibrahim Idris in 2011, Governor Yahaya Bello is a pathfinder that bears the light on the path of victory for Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman (OAU) in the forthcoming governorship election. As a worthy forebear, he demonstrated cognate experience in knowing the way and showing the way. He has led Alhaji Ododo in consultative meetings with former President Muhammadu Buhari, incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shetima and several other stakeholders. The very recent amongst the packs of such meetings is that of the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila. Fortunately, each of these stakeholders who affirmed unique resourcefulness of Governor Yahaya Bello promised to work for the emergence of Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman as the next Executive Governor of Kogi State come November 11th.
While making critical assessment of these visits, Fancy Media Team had earlier reported that when Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman assumes office as the Executive Governor of the state in January 2024 (by God’s Grace), his work has already been cut out for him by the incumbent, Governor Yahaya Bello. This is because Governor Bello has been the leading light that creates pathways for future Kogi State which Ododo who has been schooled in governance would lead.
Politics is all about strategies and meeting the right people that are pertinent to victory as against emotive eruptions to cause disunity in a peaceful and united state, like Kogi.
Like in Ondo and Ekiti States, Governor Yahaya Bello is undoubtedly on course to yet again, stamp the seal of the All Progressives Congress (APC) through the joint ticket of Ododo/Oyibo.
– By Fancy Media Team (FMT)
19th June, 2023