At moments like this, people tend to gauge the achievements or failure of an administration.
Today, the All Progressive Congress (APC) led administration under the leadership of His Excellency Gov. Yahaya Adoza Bello has gained momentum.
Those who reflect on such period would begin by counting roads constructed, bridges constructed, schools renovated and classrooms constructed and rehabilitated, hospitals and several other physical structures as major achievements. All these listed above and many others are on the score card of the Yahaya Bello administration. It is clear that Bello has gone ahead to be a pathfinder in Kogi State.
Looking around Kogi state, everyone can attest to the fact that the governor has done tremendously well and it is visibly true that change is taking place in the state. Let me site the common ones as example.
In recent past, Lokoja metropolis was one of the worst places to reside due to poor road network and high cost of living. But today the streets has a stunning facelift so much that life in the areas has improved and activities bolstering.
I am not here to bother you with what has been done or what has not been done for the past 5 years in Kogi state, I understand that most times people seem to see governance from the surface and they do not bother to look intently at what democracy is all about.
All works are done well by the governor, thanks, but technically those activities or project mentioned above are not democracy dividends because even non-democratic governments have provided basic amenities and infrastructures.
Those who specialize in counting figures and listing data will do better in narrating the achievements of the governor one by one, but for a writer like me, I would rather dwell on what a writer would do.
I am excited about the idea that democracy and administration is well understood by Gov Yahaya Bello, beyond the level of an average Nigerian.
Let me explain. Those in power often think that the best way to get to the hearts of the people is by giving them gifts of cars, money from public funds and juicy contracts even when they are not qualified.
Yahaya Bello is obviously not a cheap popularity seeker. He knows that democracy is about giving power to the people and bringing them things they deserve by right. It is not about individuals but about the “people”.
As I commute public transport within the state capital and other places within the state, I hear genuine voices of the people talking about the government. This did not start with Bello of course. The common man has an opinion about everything. I hear people volunteering comments on the achievements of the government, most of the time they talk about what has been done and celebrate it. Because majority of the people do not have access to the right information some of them base their narratives on what other persons have told them or personal opinion.
For instance, when the construction of the flyover at Ganaja Junction started, there was temporary traffic obstruction due to the diversion and many people complained and expressed their dissatisfaction about the development. But it was not long before the narrative began to change as they were able to see the idea becoming a reality. The People of Kogi are thinking differently now about governance. What changed actually is the attempt to enshrine democracy.
Gov. Bello represents democracy and that is undoubtedly obvious. The move to give power to the people is what democracy stands for. As the governor gets busy doing infrastructure, he smartly works with the institutions of governance. The arms of the government are fully separated with each functioning as independent as possible.
This is why we hear of state judiciary pronouncing judgement against the government without being intimidated and legislators are being consulted to do their constitutional duties without being short changed. Gone are the days when people in power share the money.
Instead of allowing people feast on public funds, Bello is ensuring that every kobo of the tax payers’ money counts and is accounted for. We had days where people suddenly get rich because they have friends or relation in Doughines. I think this is the purpose of democracy. To curtail personal excesses that breed corruption and mismanagement.
The Bello led administration has to a large extent, brought people to the government. Economic stability is a strong indicator of a thriving democracy. Today household income for government workers in kogi State is at its best. Workers are sure of their monthly payments and this alone has reduced economic tension that is often characterized by confused consumer behaviour. The top of the list of features of a thriving democracy is the respect for basic human rights. As mentioned somewhere above, Gov. Bello administration is in forefront to promoting basic human rights. His administration programs on primary basic education, child and maternal health, conflict management and security as well as freedom of speech, religious harmony among others are dividends of democracy.
Political tolerance is a feature of good democracy. There is no time that people in the opposition have felt threatened in this administration. Actors in the opposition who are found resourceful have been brought into Bello’s government. Opposition have contested and won election under Bello’s watch; that is democracy.
In conclusion, as the governor is so far on the right to foot, he should focus on promoting respect for the rule of law and ensure that it is strengthened; this is a better way to make the system work. Today there is increased citizen participation in Kogi State. Visible in the emergence of groups and associations that are supporting the good works of the government.