KOGI ASSEMBLY: BETWEEN GAP POLITICS AND CRISIS OF EXPECTATION

A critical look at the current 6th legislature of Kogi Assembly has overtime revealed the lack of conscientiousness caused by setback of leadership competence to identify and tackle through legislative assignment the underlying hitches endangering development in kogi state. OJO MARTIN MEJABI takes a cursory assessment at the delivery system, syndrome of leadership incompetence and why expectations were not met.       

The basic principle of legislative success in any renowned climes is foremost, a classic appetite for man-centered socioeconomic and political transformation  of self, groups and the entire institution/structure of government of a given political system in order to present or offer a remarkable and qualitative conditions of living to the citizenry.

   More pointedly, this is done to harness opportunities underlying in various potentials indigent in the act of governing to inspire and improve humans lives, aspirations and capabilities in order to eliminate or reduce poverty, inequality and unemployment; at least to a minimum capacity, enhancing a wake of self discovery and self production through its enactment of human- support policies of government at any given time.

Against this backdrop, the 6th legislature in kogi state at the inception of its duties and activities was greeted with uphill of anxieties; prefaced by purposelessness and unpreparedness with relative embers and disunity arising from leadership tussle from the executive.

No doubt, since their inauguration in 2015, the much expected consolidation and expectations is being dashed and circumstantially weighed down with relative and excessive manipulation from the governor.

 It would be recalled that the emergence of the 6th  assembly; inaugurated by former governor, captain Idris Wada was slit off the access to peace and unity to discharge its constitutional obligations.
Barely three months of governor Yahaya Bello's emergence in January 2016, the 6th. assembly had already been marred by altercation and bickering exhibited in high level of immaturity and bad attitude to the standing order of the legislative conducts, norms and ethics.
This development led to the incessant sundering of legislative composition until the last appointment that saw to the emergence of Hon. Rt. Prince Kolawole, a member representing Kabba/Bunu constituency in a heavy battle and antagonism orchestrated by  governor Yahaya Bello. It is also important to mention that this period welcomed avalanche of disruption which led to deemphasized rules, motions and resolutions; a palpable efforts which would have craved an actions that would ordinarily reflect the mood of development and propelled growth for the benefit of kogi citizenry.

Notably, this was a trying time in the history of legislative occupation; a time kogi assembly strove in highhandedness, misappropriation and period of massive stealing of public funds occasioned by the struggle for who rode on giver’s horse. How did this happened? Simple. The bailout funds and all the Paris club funds including allocation allowances that was meant to develop the state, were used to lobby in the choiced assembly's leadership thereby Plunging the state into an abject penury.

It could not be forgotten in a jiffy, this period when expectations were in high heaven; a very time when much were desired  by the electorates, this same time kogi state house of assembly due to protracted crisis rocking the house was laid bear under locked and key.

It is past two years now since the operations of the 6th legislature of kogi assembly was called to bear on its constitutional obligations. And quite a while its has settled down its businesses of legislation. This report howbeit reveals the lackeys of ineptitude and display of unprofessional prowess in the discharge of service delivery system.

However, the greatest challenges with Kogi State House of Assembly 6th legislature, has been the displacement of priority to gauge and measure the stances between the executive and legislative responsibilities. The principle and doctrine of separation of power between this organs in the state is contentious. Therefore, no clear demarcation in the operationalization between them and that’s why, overtime, there has been along time confrontation between policies and development in the state.

This two years old administration has been a hangman tightened noise situation; showcasing a rude and gruesome backlash of development and myriad dysfunction of state and its functionaries. Obviously, this narratives defile any sufficient argument in that, this administration, if fostered by the smooth running efforts of the legislature should have ensure great achievement interest in the feat of good health, good road network, power supply, equitable water and other basic facilities.

Kogi Assembly no doubt has been toothless bulldoggish and puppetry. Therefore, have failed the electorate led in holding the executive responsible in most of its armchair and top bottom approach to raising the standard of the people in the state. For instance, the state assembly should have step in to ameliorate cases of incessant industrial action that has thrown primary and secondary education in the state into oblivion.

Also, it is within the modus operandi of the legislature to check the excessiveness of the power of the governor and to stand tall to make sure the longstanding salary saga is being resolved. Instead the governor has resolved to sacking workers indiscriminately.

What has the state assembly done to arrest the devil of #45billion debt incurred by the state Governor? Why has assembly not have summoned the governor on how bailout, Paris club funds and others taken from financial institutions in Abuja were expended?

Given this shortcomings,  several questions are being put forward as to the ascertain if the constitution that established other state house of assemblies is different from the one that established the existence of Kogi Assembly? This question became reflective and pointer because the two years of governor Yahaya Bello puts many mouths uncontrollably wagging, if by operational sense, the state assembly really meant to drive succors to the door step of the electorates from the seemingly inhuman policy project of the governor.

These and more alibis  forms the incidence of persistence and prevailing poverty which has grip to a deepening dimension and has brought kogi citizens to the kneel of pervasive crisis here and there.

Ojo Martins Mejabi, is a political scientist, an activist and a journalist, writes from Lokoja.

WAEC LIFTS BAN IMPOSED ON COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL KAKUN-KABBA AS COL. (BARR) ABAYOMI DARE UPSETS BILL.

The People of Kakun in Kabba/Bunu Local Government of Area of Kogi State, have expressed their happiness and gratitude to Colonel (Barr)  Abayomi Dare, an aspirant contesting for senate in Kogi western senatorial district under the platform of APC, as he paid Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (₦250,000) to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), to lift the ban imposed on the Community High School Kakun three years ago, which barred students of the school from writing any examinations conducted by the body.

The Principal of the School, Mr. Medaiyedu Mathew, thanked Col. (Barr)  Abayomi Dare for having the people at heart and expressed happiness over the lifting of the ban. He said, 'It's a dream come true,' and promised to do everything within his capacity to ensure that the School re-writes its good name in the good books of the WAEC and tertiary institutions across the country.


While speaking at the presentation of the bank draft cheque in Kakun, Col. (Barr)  Abayomi Dare said the rationale behind the gesture was to show that every child education counts.


Represented by the Coordinator , Colonel Abayomi Dare Campaign Organisation, Mr Funsho Famodile, Abayomi noted that the era where people had misconceptions about the school was gone, and charged heads of tertiary institutions to admit students from the  Kakun High School without any fear. And that they should have confidence in them like any other student from the other schools.


"I call for concerted efforts from all stakeholders, and the students themselves, to ensure the school maintains its integrity and competence, in order to produce the expected human resource needed for the development of the area in particular, and the nation as a whole." Said Abayomi.


Speaking on behalf of of the community, Pa. Owoleke applauded Col. (Barr)  Abayomi Dare for the kind gesture and said the school had also been restored the opportunity of being an exam centre after over four years. He urged other wealthy people in the society to help in the development of the community.

How Gov Bello Planned To Divert Relief Materials For Kogi Flood Victims

Save for quick intervention by higher authorities, relief materials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) meant for last year's flood victims in Kogi State are currently being delivered to the Kogi State government for its ulterior motive.


The motive, according to insider sources in NEMA, is for the Kogi State government to rebrand the relief materials as if they are donations by the Yahaya Bello-led administration in the Confluence State to the victims of 2017 rainy season flood disaster.


According to a letter written to Governor Bello by the Director-General of NEMA, Mustapha Maihaja, dated December 5, 2017, and titled "Relief Materials To Persons Affected By Flood Disaster In Kogi State," four categories of materials were approved for the state as "humanitarian relief assistance" by the Federal Government of Nigeria to alleviate the sufferings of the affected persons.


The categories are food items, non-food items, building materials and livelihood restoration tools.


The food items included 500 bags of rice, 200 bags of beans, 360 bags is maize, 300 cartons of 3-in-1 tea, 216 cartons of powdered milk, 216 cartons of Milo, 216 cartons of tin tomatoes, 144 kegs of vegetable oil, 144 kegs palm oil, 200 cartons of Indomie Noddles, and 50 bags of salt.


For the non-food items: 700 pieces of blanket, 1000 pieces of mosquito nets, 500 pieces of form mattresses, 100 cartons of bath soap, 100 cartons of Omo detergent, 500 pieces of Wax print, and 500 pieces of Guinea brocade.


Under building materials category, there were 600 bags of cement, 1000 bundles of roofing sheets, 100 packets of zinc nail, 1000 pieces of ceiling board, and 100 bags of 3-inches nail.


While the livelihood restoration tools included 50 pieces of sewing machines, 50 pieces of fishing nets strokes 9, and 50 pieces of water pumping machine for irrigation.


The NEMA DG's letter expressly stated that "the materials listed above will be distributed and directed by officials of the Agency's Operations Office in collaboration with Emergency Management Agency team."


But a highly placed source in the agency has put a lie to the DG's directive in the letter to the Kogi state governor, saying it was just a smokescreen as no NEMA official is allowed to be part of the distribution team.


According to the source, the plot was hatched by the Kogi State government with the connivance of the NEMA DG in order for the former to have a complete control of the relief materials and also turn around to present them the flood victims as Yahaya Bello's intervention.


"Some relief items are leaving NEMA for Kogi state and the DG has refused staff to go for direct distribution so that the state government can use it (the materials) for politics.


"The first truck left on Monday (February 5, 2018) while the second truck is now loading and Hon. Comfort Alegbe is receiving the items on behalf of the Kogi state governor. In totality, eight trailers are expected to be delivered to Kogi State Government House," the source confirmed.


Meanwhile, the Senator representing Kogi West in the Senate, Senator Dino Melaye, has reacted to the revelation on the planned hijack of the relief materials by the Kogi State government, threatening to report the NEMA DG to the Senate if he fails to do the right on the Kogi relief materials immediately.

Melaye To Bello: Sell Kogi Properties, Meet Me In Court

By Tom Olasunkanmi

The Senator representing Kogi West senatorial District, Sen. Dino Melaye has sent a strong warning to the governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, advising him to stop his plan of selling monuments that belong to the state under the disguise of wanting to boost the economy of the state.

This warning was contained in a Press statement issued by the legislator today.

In the statement, Melaye said that "There is no gainsaying the fact that Kogi State is a civil service state. Although blessed with resources that remain untapped, the state has avoidably relies on allocations from Abuja to keep body and soul together over the years".

"Despite a poor Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) profile occasioned by the foregoing coupled with bad governance syndrome, Kogi has remain one of the underdeveloped states of the federation irrespective of its natural endowments".

Against this backdrop, he said it is unthinkable that the current state government under Governor Yahaya Bello will contemplate trading off what is left of Kogi's glory for momentary financial gains under the pretext of bolstering the state's finances.

"I therefore urge the Kogi State governor not to sell, as planned, the following edifices or legacies built by the past administrations in the Confluence State as doing so will portray Yahaya Bello as a prodigal son of the state".

"The state properties/legacies are Kogi House in Abuja; Mega Terminal Park; Kogi State Liaison Houses in Kaduna and Lagos; Commissioner Quarters; State Assembly Quarters; and Confluence Beach Hotel".

"For the records, no past governor of Kogi State since inception contemplated selling the state's monuments or properties like the ones listed above and as bequeathed by successive administrations, hence Bello must listen to the voice of reason otherwise his prodigal decision will be challenged in court by me as a representative of the people" Melaye concluded.

CATTLE COLONY: KOGI PDP BERATES GOV. BELLO

The People Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman for central district of Ijumu Local Government Area, Pastor Stanley Ajileye, has accused the All Progressive Congress government in the state of gross insensitivity over its hasty decision in accepting Kogi State a test ground for the heavily criticized cattle colony scheme.

Ajileye who spoke with selected newsmen in Lokoja, condemned Governor Yahaya Bello for undermining the  general interest and the security of lives and properties of the people he is meant to protect.

The obviously infuriated man of God said the actions of the governor since he came into office two years ago, have proved a high mark in youthful exuberance. Adding that, one would naturally have expected a man in such an office as a governor to tread more cautiously in relation to matters as volatile as the burning issue of Fulani Militia, especially with the ongoing carnages in places like Benue and Adamawa State.

 He said it would have been more appropriate for the state government to first engage stakeholders in simple dialogue that may probably lead to mutual understanding.

The Clergy, who doubles as a front line journalist in the state, confirmed to his colleagues that the state governor is motivated; not only by a desire to please President Muhammadu Buhari, but an inordinate desire for the financial benefit accruable from the Federal Government’s fund disbursement for the cow colony purpose is central to the decision of the APC governor.

“Another reason, we must clear, is that the APC government has an ulterior motive of using the Fulanis for election purposes, since it is apparent to them that they can no longer win election in this state after biting the fingers that once fed them.” He stressed.

Pastor Ajileye lampooned the state's legislators for jettisoning their primary responsibilities in a hot chase of filthy lucre.  According to him, it has never been this bad in the history of Kogi State, for the entire state assembly to be pocketed by the executive arm.

Pastor Ajileye submitted by calling on all Kogians to keep their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) well and use it wisely during the next election, to send APC to where it belongs.

Signed

January 26, 2018.

Okun Youth Congratulates Hon. Samuel Melaye as new National Assembly Legislative Aides Chairman

The umbrella body of all youth association in Okunland, Okun Youth Leader's Forum have sent words of congratulations to Hon. Samuel Melaye Over his inauguration as the Chairman of National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum(NASSLAF).

Hon. Samuel Melaye, from Ijumu LG in Okun area of Kogi State was inaugurated as the Chairman of all National Assembly  legislative aides in Nigeria  after a protracted electoral crisis that hit the forum over Who takes over the leadership of the forum.

In a statement signed by the youth National Coordinator Alamoh Kehinde Samuel, the forum said Melaye victory at the poll and his subsequent inauguration as the Chairman is a testimony of his commitment and dedication to work.

We are proud of you and we

pray that God give unto you knowledge,wisdom and Understanding to be able to discharge your duties to the good of NASSLAF and the people of Okunland, the forum concluded.

It's time for work- Omoluabi

Daily, the time keeps coming closer to the decisive moment of our collective destiny, we have had various dispappointments, disenchantment and displeasure on some of our elected officials. The months ahead offers us the golden and rare opportunity to make correction in our leadership selection and those elected where necessary.

I am not here to castigate or condemn anyone, not at all, I am here to remind us that no matter how good it is, we can make it better. If however some are considered bad in our opinions, we can make a replacement.

It is therefore important that we take informed decisions this time so that the next four years can be great for us.

 Lagos did and today Ambode is doing exploits, Kaduna Central did and today Shehu Sanni is making them proud, Gombe did and Dankwmbo brings smiles to them daily, Enugu did and Ekweremadu is influencing projects. We can do the same for our people, all we need is to elect humble leaders that knows your problems and ready to tackle them headlong.

I'm not presenting myself as the most brilliant, no, not as above everyone, at all, not as a saint or all-knowing, far from it. But I come to you as a humble and willing tool who has taken years to understudy our immediate challenges, their remote causes and the most practicable solutions. This is so because I believe in all modesty that I know and have related with every single community and her people across Kogi West through marriage, education, sports, students and youth unionism, civil rights activism and personal relationships.  I therefore believe and know as a fact that I have what it takes to make Kogi West great by the grace of God.

I present myself to you to access, relate with, support and at the end vote to represent you and you will never regret it.
We have articulated out our vision and agenda for Kogi West and we have started the process of pilot programme of all we promised to achieve.
As you begin February I pray it turns out to be a beautiful, fulfilling and successful month for all of us. But remember, it is only the future you can picture that you will feature in.
I remain your commited and humble servant.

Omoluabi Bode Adeyemi (OBA)
Senatorial Aspirant,
Kogi West, Nigeria.

Hon Samuel Melaye Inaugurated as Legislative Aides Chairman

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By Gideon Ayodele

The leadership of the National Assembly yesterday inaugurated Hon. Sam Melaye (Chairman) and his other executives to pilot the affairs of the National Assembly Legislative  Aides Forum (NASSLAF).
The inauguration was a clear indication that the factional crises rocking the associations has come to an end.

Melaye, while interacting with the media after his Successful inauguration as the Chairman, said the forum would be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to enhance its engagement with the management of the National Assembly management regarding its members welfare and conditions of service.

Melaye urged bonafide members of NASSLAF and general public to ignore the fictitious story meant to cause friction amongst members and portray NASSLAF in bad light.
The Executive Chairman also pledged to unite members said the vision of NASSLAF, which is to protect collective interest of National Assembly Legislative Aides and serve our bosses diligently can only be achieved when the members work in unity and vowed to protect the interest of the Association members.

PDP: APC’s Report on Restructuring Is a Deception

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the report of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on restructuring as a ruse and fresh attempt to beguile Nigerians with another round of lies, empty proposals and hollow promises, ahead of 2019 elections, just as it did in 2015.

The party also said the report is another calculated ploy by the failed President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to divert public attention from the woes of a worsening economy, unrelenting killings, corruption and the endless litany of afflictions occasioned by their almost three years of dysfunctional governance.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement on Wednesday, said it amounts to outright depravity that the same APC leaders who at assumption of office, rejected restructuring will now suddenly turn around to pose as fathers of a restructured Nigeria simply because the 2019 general elections beckon.

The PDP said the fact that the APC has no littlest intention of implementing any form of restructuring is completely manifest in the attitude and body language of its leaders including President Buhari, who in his 2018 new year address, rejected the idea of restructuring, by declaring that “When all the aggregates of nationwide opinions are considered, my firm view is that our problems are more to do with process than structure.”

Even Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, who eventually became the Chairman of the APC panel on restructuring, had also on June 29, 2017, during an interview on Channels TV, denied that the APC promised restructuring and described Nigerians, who were taking his party to task on the issue, as “political opportunists and irresponsible” people.

This is in addition to declaration by the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who in a Radio Nigeria (FRCN) interview programme on June 9, 2017, stated that restructuring is not President Buhari’s priority.

From Borno state governor, Kashim Shettima, who was quoted to have said “to hell with restructuring,” to the totality of APC leaders, none believes in either true federalism or restructuring by any name called.

As a matter of fact, it is instructive to note that the APC refused to rally its members in the National Assembly to support or vote for any amendment that dwelt on restructuring when the federal legislature voted on sections of the constitution where amendments have been proposed in the direction of restructuring.

If anything, APC leaders have consistently criticized any amendment that spoke or have a semblance of restructuring or true federalism.

It is therefore deceptive that in the wake of their rejection by the people, the discredited APC and its dysfunctional government have suddenly woken up to parade as champions of a restructured Nigeria. This is a callous and wicked attempt to once again take Nigerians on a trip to the land of fantasy.

We therefore urge Nigerians to reject the new ploy by the APC to deceive them for their votes in 2019.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan

National Publicity Secretary

PDP: Buhari As Anti-Corruption Champion, A Joke of the Year

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the reported naming of President Muhammed Buhari as African Union (AU) anti-corruption champion as laughable, derisory and eminently qualified as Africa’s joke of the year.

The party said it was clear that leaders of the African Union were not well briefed on happenings in Nigeria, including the heavy sleazes going on around the Buhari presidency and was misled by the APC Federal Government, which plans to use the naming as face-saving stunt for the administration.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement on Monday, said it was embarrassing that the Presidency, in its desperation to launder its irredeemably battered image, would resort to exporting its deceptive proclivities to the international arena.

The party said the AU would not have honoured President Buhari if it knew that what obtains in Nigeria is direct persecution of opposition under the guise of war against corruption, while officials of his government swim head deep in corruption under the overt protection of the Presidency.

“As we speak, those receiving accolades as champions of anti corruption have not yet cleared the air on the leaked memo detailing underhand oil contracts to the tune of N9 trillion ($25billion dollars) at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources which are under President Buhari’s direct supervision as minister.

“They are yet to offer any explanation on series of reported fraud in the oil sector including allegation of the use of 18 unregistered companies to lift and divert N1.1trillion worth of crude oil in the last one year to service APC interests.

“This is a government which has provided cover for its corrupt officials including former state governors, who were indicted of looting funds belonging to their states to sponsor their presidential election in 2015 as well as cronies openly indicted for other various sharp practices, including padding of federal budget, secret oil subsidy deals and stealing of funds meant for fight against insurgency and rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

“Perhaps AU leaders need to know that the Presidency has virtually failed to do anything regarding the heinous diversion of N5 billion meant for the IDPs under the Presidential Initiative on the Northeast for which the Senate mounted a stiff investigation, only because officials of APC government was indicted.

“They might also need to be shown the motion by Senator Baba Kaka Garba from Borno Central, who exposed how some individuals, known to have connections with the APC, fraudulently cornered N1.2 billion from the Federal Government under the guise of supplying items to IDPs, only for the money to be diverted for other purposes which are related to APC interests.

“Furthermore, the AU might need to know that the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who was openly indicted by the Senate for stealing funds meant for IDP activities, was only arrested after a public outcry but was quickly released with a pat on the wrist, while opposition members facing similar charges are being detained and persecuted with spurious charges in various courts. 

“The truth lies bare that the Buhari administration is not engaging in any fight against corruption but political witch-hunt of opposition, while his government reeks with corruption,” the PDP submitted.

Signed:


Kola Ologbondiyan

National Publicity Secretary