By Musa Tanimu Nasidi
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, like the Chinese bamboo tree, has sprouted and progressively grown into a political enigma of sorts in the Nigerian political ecology.
He is distinct, differently defined by different people. Akin to the diverse narratives of those who went on voyage of study of the Lion, their stories depended on the part of the Lion they stared at; either from the head, the tail, the anus or wherever they chose to beam attention on.
From those who saw from his philanthropic disposition, their narrative is about Bello’s empowerment programmes that directly provide succour to widows, self-employment to the youths.
From those who took interest in his development of Kogi State in the infrastructure sector, even his stiff opponents see him as the best and most suited for the dire need to effectively handle the hydra-headed challenges of the kogi in terms of infrastructure development, both in the aspects of quality projects execution and maintenance culture.
Governor Bello, fondly called THE WHITE LION, is a pacesetter and founder of modern Kogi state and the most misunderstood when it comes to his kind of politics and governance.
Bello, who was elected under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) yet believes that after elections, political party politics should come after priority to interests and welfare of the electorate as against stiff opposition, to the extent of do or die.
His style of politics cuts across divides. His styles of Leadership brought together, virtually all stakeholders in the State into one fold under the ruling party. Their support for his administration was more about his person, less to do with political party affiliations.
On his emergence as the Governor, the State was brought into one fold, those who felt marginalised were giving the feeling of love, and many cases of communal conflicts were settled, via dialogue and negotiations.
Bello’s administration changed the story of the State to that of business hob, tourists’ sanctuary.
As a man of foresight, he stealthily saved many situations owing to his diplomacy and conscientiousness in handling matters, more so the security challenges even many others expected him to roll out drums of wars against suspected offenders. Such a leader, a cross section of observers have said could best serve the interests of the Kogi , North Central, indeed, the Nigeria nation if given the chance to lead as a President of the country in future when a leader with proven records of experience, discipline, prudence, disposition to peace and unity is most needed.
As a Leader of the ruling APC in the state, many other politicians, especially from the opposition parties, including leaders and their teaming supporters have seen reasons to join the wagon with him.
Bello, from inception of his administration over seven years ago, did not mince words or actions as to what he wanted. He found his way into the bowel of the powers-that-be at the centre and has kept drawing quantum of favours to his people .
He ploughs the dividends, the reimbursed funds from the Federal government into other projects. And these are visible projects that the blind touch and the opposition elements cannot but applaud, at worst in low tones.
This sharp turnaround of Kogi State with the least allocation of funds from the federal authorities, least Internally Generate Revenue (IGR) , undoubtedly are the confusion/posers and wonders to many who had to speculate that these could not have been for anything less than Bello’s presidential ambition in 2023. Whatever be the case, Bello, a man with brighter political future who has done much for his people and doing more for a greater number, would continue to be remembered for his unparalleled service to Kogi state.
