THE MARRIAGE OF KOGI EAST AND WEST IS INEVITABLE FOR THE RESCUE OF KOGI STATE

The formation of alliance between the West and the Eastern part of Kogi state is critical at this very important period in our political history. The West and East must marry themselves politically because of how the incumbent, Governor Yahaya Bello tribally weaponize the central against all the candidates from other zones. 

Alliance is a crucial aspect of politics in every multi-ethnic society, especially the type that is as complicated as ours. The formation of an alliance will give a chance to everyone to contribute to the development of the State. We are witnesses to how the state's three prominent ethnic groups are divided by sectional interests. This division is one of the major reasons the state is plagued with underdevelopment, poverty, unemployment, insecurity, and a subpar educational system.

A state with Kogi's resources should be able to compete with larger economies of African states; sadly, our division has kept us far below our potential.

The three main tribes failure to unite in a political and economic coalition is the root of this disunity. At this period, the unity of the West and East is the only way forward because the central will not support candidates from the East and West due to GYB hypnotism effect.

The current administration in Kogi State led by Governor Yahaya Bello has done more than merely exacerbate the problems; by retaining power through a proxy.

This made the electorates to shift their attention and not focusing on real issues bedeviling the state. Instead of embarking on an issue-based campaign, they shifted attention and support to ethnic superiority. The competence of candidates who will turn around the state is not a priority for electorates. Instead, they are primarily concerned about particular tribe or candidates.

In 2015, Kogi East and West formed an alliance and put the late Prince Abubakar Audu forward as a candidate for governor. It was agreed that after Audu's four years in office, Kogi West would take over, and perhaps Audu's running mate, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, would succeed him. Unfortunately, Audu passed away just before the election turned out to be a close one.

The abrupt passing of Audu upended the political system since the party selected Yahaya Bello, a native of Kogi Central, to take over Audu's votes and was declared winner. Yahaya Bello wasted 8 years in office without making any notable progress because he wasn't ready for leadership.

Instead, he is imposing a candidate that he is superior to.

While the Kogi West and Kogi East are currently opposing Yahaya Bello's third term agenda, they are nonetheless fielding a number of candidates for the governorship race. There is a possibility that the state can elect another terrible Kogi central government due to the various candidates gunning for the position from the East and West.

To prevent another failure from winning,the elders from Kogi East and West must review their 2015 agreement and forge a political coalition to combat the state's common enemy that is poverty, bad leadership and underdevelopment.

Kogi West undoubtedly has capable men who can run the state, but now is not the moment for two rational beings to show off their strength. They must realign to produce a single candidate, this alignment of functional minds will be a step further at preventing the reemergence of failed leaders.

Hon. Murtala Yakub Ajaka, also known as Muri, has shown high level of capacity and he's well positioned among to lead the fight to free our state from the control of incompetent leadership. However, his victory will only be made easier if leaders from Kogi East and West can put their egos aside and negotiate power effectively.

 KDCG