German's poet, Friedrich Schiller was right when he said; "disappointment is to the soul what thunderstorm is to the air". S...
Since
1999, Kogi East senatorial district voids of quality representation in
the second arm of government. Indispositions backed by fulsome
influences had for umpteenth time berated the streak of sound
representation either deliberately or by coercion. It is not for
nothing, everyone who had superintended in this realm is associated with
wealth acquisition. Thus, throwing legislative business to the pit and
representatives, especially at the upper chamber have either aligned
with status quo or are too incompetent for the all-important law making
system.
In swift peruse,
senator Jibrin Isah (Kogi East) vindicated me yonks ago. Then, I stated
that "his acclaimed altruism was rather cynical, so brutally cynical and
hardened to every sob story under the planet". The man who was mouthed
for employing all Igala Youths into AfriBank has ulterior motive. Even
though, it was a pathetic lie ever told by willing accomplices of the
kingmakers of ordinary lawmaker we currently have, Echocho never meant
well for Igala race, and by extension, Kogi state.
In
2018 or thereabout, at a time when Yahaya Bello jilted state civil
servants to pay the ultimate price for serving fatherland, Echocho
divulged to the governor that he would have done exactly what he did if
he was opportune to be governor.
Thanks to God, he
wouldn't have tested power if not for the cold hands of death. Howbeit,
he was never voted, he was just an overnight beneficiary of a stolen
mandate. Yet, some of us knew he won't act beyond the stretch of an arm.
Alas! A refined ethnic partisan and profound religious zealot is in the
senate. I and the few discerning minds kicked against it. Now, we've
been vindicated! Even his rented pundits have gone asleep in utter
disbelief, as the lawmaker strictly wakes up and gallivant for his
Muslim forks while his aides nod head like a well-fed lizard on social
media.
At the private
sector, senator Jibrin established Isah Memorial Muslims academy and
registered his Muslim kinsmen as board of directors. In the senate, his
handpicked aides are predominantly Muslims. His office is accessible to
Muslims only. Christian constituents are often furnished with the
senator's absenteeism. This is how capricious a man whose questionable
fortune was frittered in search of greener pasture in Nigeria's
political dome is.
Apart
from being ethno-religious sure man, senator Isah Jibrin is an
unrepentant segregate; an emerging dictator who tells supporters who,
how, when and where to pledge loyalty. Against all odds, he reduced
legislation to Ankpa and Dekina. His first constituency project -
reawakening of family business - refurbishment of Isah memorial Muslim
academy (Ajiyolo) with computers and modern e-learning equipment was in
Dekina.
Two years in the
row, Echocho sponsored just three bills. But guess what? They are
strictly for Dekina and Ankpa. In 2019, he purchased outdated cassava
processing machines, accompanied with peanuts (cash) for selected
constituents in Ankpa and Dekina. His constituency projects often
initiated as cash donations, gifts and palliatives are strictly Dekina
and Ankpa. I call him senator representing Dekina - Ankpa LGs.
Shockingly, he is not doing anything tangible in these areas.
Fellow
constituents, the primary function of a lawmaker in a Democratic
dispensation is to make laws. In Nigeria, there is a provision for
constituency development. But even a lame can discern Jibrin's daring in competencies. There is no tangible constituency projects. Not even a
borehole sink to his credit. Still, his three sleeping bills have an
almost zero impact. Unlike a former lawmaker in Kogi West who achieved
so much for his constituents, Echocho source for dysfunctional bakery
and palm oil processing plants to resuscitate. He now tours around Abuja
looking for where to make donations and propagate media razzmatazz.
Come to think of it, Kogi state University where bakery was a major
problem has substandard structures. Faculties and departments crave for a
touch. Yet, Echocho wanted a workable bakery. But he constantly
figures out schools in FCT where to send donations and gain media
coverage. Is this not the height of hypocrisy?
While
constituents are plagued with insecurity and social stagnation, the
senator make case for a failed demigod grooming for political
advancement. Issues of sacredness are left uncatered. From the ongoing
sluggish maintenance on Itobe bridge to the construction of Okene-
Ajaokuta road, they practically lie about everything. Recalled that,
Okene - Ajaokuta road contract had been awarded severally, money was
paid but contract is not executed. Our almighty lawmaker cannot make
case to bring those who have rendered the road miserable to book. A self
acclaimed richest man in Africa has being extorting Kogi Easterners for
decades, that is never a problem. The constituency is endowed with
several natural resources, Echocho cannot seek to commercialize them.
Cattle ranching, ruga and other illicit acceptance of Buhari's
Islamizing agendas have rendered Kogi Easterners homeless, children
rendered fatherless, wife widowed and communities deserted. Echocho is
too busy to see that. All he sees is that which concerns his godfathers
in the Lugard House, his pocket and the few Muslim bloodlines. By
default, the nine Local Governments which made-up kogi East are to be
represented race and tribe. But how Echocho chose just Dekina and Ankpa
still baffles me.
Ugébó
kpójó (I swear), Since 1999, Kogi east elected Lawmakers either enrich
their pockets, or they are imposed on the people by those who partake in
the sharing of constituency funds, or they are elected with no insight
on our yearnings. This is the ordeal of a disappointed district.
JOHN PAUL writes from Lokoja.
07038729622.
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