KOGI GUBER; CHOOSING BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND LUCIPHER.
By Ayiti ADEBAYO
Elections all over the world provides an ample platform for citizens to elect their leaders, the people, who are unarguably the highest stakeholder in a democratic government sees the unique platform offered by periodic elections as an opportunity to control their own destiny by electing leaders whose agenda and manifestoes are in tandem with their aspiration.
Saturday 21st November 2015 provides this unique platform for the people of Kogi State. As much as this would have been a cheering development, the character of the leading contenders in Saturday polls leaves much to be desired. As at today, all opinions and feelers from Kogi indicates that the election will be a straight fight between the incumbent Governor, Idris Wada of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and Prince Abubakar Audu of All Progressive Congress(APC). Though there are other contenders from Labour Party, Social Democratic Party and others, but they are not in the forefront and are very unlikely to pull any surprise string at the poll.
Interestingly, the two major contenders have been opportune to rule the State and can as such be appraised on records. While Wada of PDP is the incumbent Governor, Audu of APC has been Governor twice, first in 1992 and later between 1999-2003. He has been struggling to return to the Government house since 2003.
In my humble opinion, I think Kogi people deserves better than both Audu and Wada.
Abubakar Audu presided over Kogi between 1999 and 2003, though his tenure witnessed some level of infrastructural development, he could not be said to have performed above the average line. Besides, He is the same man that was elected in 1992, more than two decades ago, he was elected again in 1999 and he is still seeking the same office in 2015. Above all, a corruption case of # 11Billion filed against him by EFCC is still hanging menacingly on his head like the proverbial sword of Damocles. No thanks to Nigeria Judiciary.
On the other hand, Idris Wada(Incumbent Governor) is worse. Under his watch, Kogi has been on the reverse gear of development. There has been a huge dearth of infrastructural facilities, the hospitals in Kogi have been moribund, the standard of Education in the state has fallen tremendously. Workers in the State and Local Government workforce are being owed several months salary arrears, Kogi under Wada is one of the most porous states in terms of Security of lives and properties, armed robbers terrorise commuters on Okenne-Lokoja highway nearly on daily basis. There could not have been a further evidence of failure of governance than what is currently obtainable in Kogi under Wada's watch.
Despite the abundance of human and mineral resources in the Confluence State, successive governments have failed to harness the necessary human and material/mineral resources readily available to diversify the state's economy and make life more abundant for its citizens. The spate of armed robbery in Kogi is a direct offshoot of Youth unemployment, yet, mineral resources abound untapped and the leaders there are not thinking.
Conclusively, In my humble opinion, I consider both Wada and Audu unfit for new generation leadership. I wish there is a third force in the contest, unfortunately, the Labour Party does not have the required structure and resources to pull any surprise string in the election. One could only wish Kogites well and charge the new generation politicians to put on their thinking caps ahead of 2019. For this election, choosing between Audu and Wada is like a straight choice between the devil and lucipher, whoever wins on Saturday, it'll still be business as usual.
'Bayo Ayiti writes from Osun State, Nigeria.
adebayoayiti@yahoo.com.

APC will win this one,people will vote for PMB like last election

Please you should not mind the guy above me, he thinks this is a presidential election.