When kogi state was created in 1991 by General Ibrahim Babangida and had col. Zakariya as it’s first Governor, it was void without any shape.
The former capital of northern protectorate and the famous kabba province was only surviving as colonial relics when the story of Nigeria is being told.
Kogi state was the least of all the state created then that had a good prospect. It was assumed to be a civil service state.
The only industry associated with it, was Ajaokuta steel company, except perhaps pockets of Manufacturing companies like jakura Mable industry, Boja plastic industry and mopa brewery in mopa.
Till date, there’s no world class industry that is known in kogi state that is productive and functional.
What we had over the years was a state completely overwhelmed with civil service remuneration while depending on stipends from the federal allocation.
This stipends remains one of the smallest in the country. Hence, her development had remain skewed due to lack of funds.
Successive governments in the state have not been able to solve this problems. Corruption and misappropriation of the little one coming have not helped either.
It has always been said that, Nigeria problem is not lack of resources, but bad leadership. In the case of kogi state, nepotism and tribal segregation remains part of our problem.
Therefore, as Governorship election is at the corner and yet again, the clamor to have a new governor is on, what type of governor do we need?
Yes, What type of governor do we need to take us out of this political and economic taunting.
We have many individuals clamoring to be elected.
Each of them, have an agenda;
* Some wanted to be governor to further the interest of their paymaster
* Some wanted it to protect “a group” interest as a result of fear of reprisals as a result of inefficient governance
* Some wanted it for show, and to fight and deal with political enemies
*Some wanted it for tribal dominance
* Some wanted it because they want to serve.
Of all the above, the fifth group; *those who want it because they want to serve,* should be our surest bet to move forward towards development.
It will be wrong to continue a boring game, and a monotonous and reoccurring inefficiency as currently being witnessed. A change is what we need.
Of all the aspirants I have taken time to study and analyze, one person stands out among them; *ELDER LEKE ABEJIDE!*
He has been tested for the past four years and had excelled.As a house member representing Yagba federal constituency, he was adjudged the best parliamentarian.
He ran a government within government preparing himself for a day like this.
He has political appointees covering every aspect of government activities like;
* Education
*Agriculture
*Health
*Social welfare
Infrastructural development
* Youth empowerment and
* Security.
In all these, there are appointed aides in charge earning salary monthly for the past four years. All these aides are directly under a well experience chief of staff, who, himself was a former chairman of a local government; chief SHOLA ADEBOLA GADAFI. Little wonder, Elder Leke Abejide excelled.
His passion, his zeal, his discipline, his human resources management skills, his moral personification and astuteness , his capacity to excel, his soft heart for humanity, all make him the governor we need in kogi state.
What’s more he, picked an experience administrator, Dr. IDRIS OMEDE, a former president of NIGERIA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, a former commissioner of health in kogi state and an experience politician as his deputy Governorship candidate. To me, of all the aspirants, these duo are set and prepared for the task of changing the tides of governance to help develop kogi state. As we move closer towards November 11th, let’s continuously ask ourselves the type of governor we need. While at that, let’s zero our minds on Elder Leke Abejide, I believe strongly that , kogi state will prosper under his leadership.
LET’S GIVE THEM A CHANCE!
JESSE ABAYOMI OLOKE