I have followed the spats between my egbon, Kareem Onilemarun, and the Ramanists over the weekend. My egbon fired the first salvo with his scathing article critical of Kwara Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazak. Since then, some AA minions, including the Special Assistant to the Kwara Governor on Communications, Ibrahim Abdullatif have gone ballistic against not just Onilemarun but also his principal, Dr. Bukola Saraki.
But let’s be factual, did Onilemarun say anything strange and different? Is it not true that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazak’s actions and style bear an uncanny resemblance to the former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State?
Oya, let’s do the dissecting together.
Throughout his tenure, Yahaya Bello orchestrated a one-man show, ruling with an iron fist that silenced opposition voices and stifled dissent. Regrettably, Governor AbdulRahman seems to be following suit, exhibiting a similar penchant for authoritarian governance that undermines democratic principles and erodes public trust.
Much like his friend in Kogi, Governor AbdulRahman shares a penchant for flashy projects that do little to address the real needs of the people. While Yahaya Bello’s tenure was marked by grandiose but ultimately ineffective initiatives, AbdulRahman seems to be walking down the same path, prioritizing optics over substance. Check Kwara Hotel, check Tanke and Unity bridges. And check all the abandoned white elephant projects that dot Ahmadu Bello way for which the government does seem clueless about their utilization.
Furthermore, both governors have demonstrated a propensity for sycophancy towards the central government, prioritizing political expediency over genuine leadership. While Yahaya Bello unabashedly courted favor with the Presidency, AbdulRahman’s pretentious genuflection to the Aso-rock too are clear to all but the most willfully blind observers.
The facade of good governance, meticulously crafted by Yahaya Bello, finds its echo in AbdulRahman’s administration, despite the glaring discrepancies between rhetoric and reality. While they may attempt to cloak their deficiencies in the trappings of progress, the discerning eye of the public, and indeed the federal authorities, sees through the charade.
Perhaps most concerning is the specter of succession manipulation that looms over both governors’ tenures. Yahaya Bello’s imposition of a pliant lackey as his successor is seemingly serving as a template for our Kwara man, where similar machinations are allegedly underway. The blatant disregard for democratic processes undermines the very foundations of governance and exposes the self-serving nature of these leaders.
Lastly, the superficial embrace of youthfulness tokenism by Governor AbdulRahman mirrors Yahaya Bello’s deceptive tactics, aimed at garnering support through empty gestures rather than substantive policy initiatives. Such attempts to cloak regressive governance in the guise of youthful vibrancy only serve to insult the intelligence of the electorate.
So, by and large, the parallels between the reign of Yahaya Bello in Kogi State and the emerging patterns in Kwara under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazak are striking. It is imperative that we expose their machinations, hold them accountable for their actions, and demand a return to genuine, transparent governance. Anything less would be a disservice to the ideals of democracy and progress for which we strive.
