By Biodun Ayelafe
From the grapevine, I learnt that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, has in conjunction with major stakeholders made up his mind to support the return aspiration of all the members of the State House of Assembly, except those who are presently serving their second term.
This, without doubt, is a laudable decision and it will ensure continuity in governance. At this stage, we can’t afford to have a fresh House that will have to start learning the robes.
Experience, it is often said, is the best teacher. The present House of Assembly, has been very supportive of the programmes and policies of the administration of the Governor. He can’t afford to ditch them for fresh and unlearned hands. He needs people who are already grilled and have followed and supported him thus far.
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Both arms of government have earned each other’s trust and confidence. Therefore, it will do the state a lot of good if most of them are retained to continue to drive the growth and development process of the state.
If this happens, it won’t be the first time it is happening in the country and looking at states where it has happened, it is easy to see the level of progress such states have witnessed. When a Governor decides to retain members of the House, it is often not out of self aggrandizement, it is more often than not, tailored towards ensuring quality legislations that can positively impact the state.
It is also not out of place to use the gesture to reward loyalty. At the inception of the present legislative tenure, we had three people from opposing parties vis-a-vis: Idowu Ibikunle – Yagba West (Minority Leader), Sunday Daku- Bassa ( Dep Minority Leader) and Bode Ogunmola- (Ogori Magongo) Minority Whip. All three, after x-raying the leadership style of the Governor, opted to join his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). They fell in love with the Governor’s humble disposition and viewed his vision for the state as what is desired to move the state forward.
For people hitherto in opposing camps to embrace the Governor and his party, it is only appropriate that they get the support of the Governor for a second term that is if the popular saying, ‘one good turn deserves another’ is anything to go by.
This technically means that where the unwritten arrangement on rotation hitherto exists, every zone will now have the opportunity to a two term Assembly Member, where they could either allow their incumbent have a second chance or change him if the constituents are not satisfied with his or her performance in the first attempt.
However, with the return of most of the members, deliberations on the floor will not only be robust, the people of the state will witness two arms of government seamlessly working together to deliver the dividends of democracy to them.
Kogi cannot afford to lag behind and it’s only wise that the Governor should be supported and encouraged to go ahead with his decision to support the aspirations of majority of members of the House, especially the three Lawmakers that took the bull by the horn, putting aside political affiliations to support his administration.
Such gestures, will make politicians stay focused and loyal. I commend and applaud the Governor for always being truthful and trustworthy. He is a leader that sures knows his way and his vision for Kogi will continue to receive boost by his actions and utterances.
*Biodun Ayelafe is a Public Affairs Analyst.
