Among the 36 states of Nigeria , Kogi State occupies a unique position. Kogi State was created out of the former Kwara and Benue states on August 27, 1991 to reunite the people of the old Kabba Province who had been compelled by administrative demarcations to live in separate political areas. Kogi is popularly called the ‘Confluence State’ because the two main rivers in the country, the River Niger and River Benue, merge into one at the state capital, Lokoja, which also holds the historical record of being the first administrative capital of Nigeria. In fact, the view is held among some romantic historians that it was while gazing at the awe inspiring scene of the fusion of Rivers Niger and Benue at Lokoja that Flora Shaw who became Lady Lugard coined the name “ Nigeria ”.

But as I think of Kogi State today, my mind does not go to these historical niceties but to Wole Soyinka’s book, Kongi’s Harvest. With the fierceness that characterized the campaigns in the build up to the election taking place in Kogi state on March 29, 2008, it is easy to suppose that Kogites are trying to elect the Kongi of Kogi rather than the governor of Kogi State. And this is more for the likeness between the tragicomedy taking place in Kogi State and what transpired in Soyinka’s allegorical play than the onomatopoeic similitude between ‘Kogi’ and ‘Kongi’. Kongi’s Harvest parodies modern megalomaniacs addicted to the irresistible lure of power and its attendant prestige. A recurring decimal in Kongi’s Harvest is intrigue and hate not unlike the copious harvest of intrigue and hate that has been the lot of Kogi State these past few weeks. So much venom and acrimony has oozed out of this potential tourist haven. And so much blood-letting has been witnessed and reported within a short span of time.

There is a certain allure about power. Whenever a man is consumed by the ambition for political power, he becomes blind. Nothing seems to matter: decency, decorum, sportsmanship and friendship are thrown to the dogs. Since the Court of Appeal affirmed the nullification of the April 2007 election in Kogi State and ordered a fresh election, attention has been narrowed down to two gladiators: the candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Idris (Ibro) and the candidate of All Nigeria Peoples’ Party (ANPP), Prince Abubakar Audu. His running mate, Senator Mohammed  Salami Ohiare was the gubernatorial candidate of the Action Congress (AC) in the nullified April 14, 2007 election. The other candidates of other parties have been less controversial. And none has exhibited the same proclivity for invidious rabble-rousing as the front liners.

Prince Audu was Executive Governor of the State in 1992 and again from 1999 – 2003. Alhaji Idris defeated him in the 2003 election and served as governor from 2003 to 2007. Idris also served as governor after the April 2007 election before the Court of Appeal pulled the rug from beneath his feet. Both men are no strangers to controversy. After Audu’s term, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seized, handcuffed and arraigned him at a Lokoja High Court on an 80-count charge of theft and money laundering. The case is still lingering. On his part, Idris has been under pressure to reconcile discrepancies in the name he bears and the name on his school certificate and, also, how he wrote the SSCE exam in 2001 four years after he enrolled as a law student at the University of Abuja ! Between Idris and Audu several matters are subsisting in the courts over allegations most of which border on certificate forgery and perjury. Whichever way you look at it, Kogi politicians are being branded as belligerent, bellicose, implacable and murderous.

The desperation for power in Kogi State diverts attention from the elephantine problems of the state. Kogi is a state in which poverty walks on four legs from one end to the other. Ajaokuta, a gigantic monument of Nigeria ’s public investment failure lies prostrate like a ghost town. In Koton Karfe rainwater is still a more reliable source of water supply than the much advertised water scheme that the people have waited endlessly for it’s completion and commissioning. Across the state electricity wires are strung on rickety wooden poles, housing is a privilege and unemployment has pushed the youths into ignoble pursuits. Until recently, criminal activities in Kogi State compelled everyone to sleep with one eye open. The politically motivated proliferation of thugs and arms in the state in recent times should be source of serious concern.

The primitive type political campaigns in Kogi State serve as a glaring reminder of the need to usher in a regime of political campaigns based on issues not only in Kogi but in Nigeria as a whole. Kogi political leaders seem eager to march the rock hard terrain of the state with exhibitions of hard-heartedness. Rather than occupy their time with schemes to destroy each other, political contenders should engage in robust debates on what they have to offer. There is no need for Idris and Audu to keep comparing their achievements in office like schoolboys or to keep blowing broken trumpets croaky from overuse. This reduces governance to a childish competition for commendation.

Contrary to the impression which the activities of some Kogi politicians create, Kogites generally are peace-loving people. Since the restoration of traditional ties, the Igala, the Ebira, the Okun and Bassa ethnic groups that make up the twenty one LGs of Kogi State have always managed to maintain peaceful coexistence. It is enough trouble for the poor majority to grapple with the headaches of hewing out a living from a hostile terrain. The elite have a duty not to increase their yoke.

By it’s geographical endowments, Kogi State is a tourist’s delight. It is the gateway to the southern states of Nigeria for all those traveling by road from the north and vice versa. The proximity of the state to the federal capital territory ( Abuja ), the Niger-Benue confluence which forms beautiful scenery visible from many locations in the city constitute tourist opportunities waiting to be exploited. By it’s historical heritage, Kogi is the residuary of numerous relics of Nigeria ’s colonial past.

In place of discord and violence, the people desire better management of their human and material resources. To achieve these goals, the air of acrimony must be defused through fence mending. Promotion of hooliganism, thuggery, lawlessness, and discord is like riding the tiger. And those who ride the tiger often end up in it’s stomach. At all times, politicians must realize that they serve as role models to upcoming politicians. The must, therefore, comport themselves with restraint. In any event, Nigerians are watching whether the new Governor will serve the people like the chief servant of Kogi or rule with impunity like the Kongi of Kogi. uchebush@yahoo.com; 0805 1090 050

Robot  Villager

# 1 Among the 36 states of Nigeria , Kogi State occupies a unique position. Kogi State was created o...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 28.03.2008 22:07

tanibaba  Villager

# 2 This is an excellent beutiful piece. You wrote: But as I think of Kogi State today, my mind does not go to these historical niceties but to Wole Soyinka’s book, Kongi’s Harvest. With the fierceness that characterized the campaigns in the build up to the election taking place in Kogi state on March 29, 2008, it is easy to suppose that Kogites are trying to elect the Kongi of Kogi rather than the governor of Kogi State. And this is more for the likeness between the tragicomedy taking place in Kogi State and what transpired in Soyinka’s allegorical play than the onomatopoeic similitude between ‘Kogi’ and ‘Kongi’. Kongi’s Harvest parodies modern megalomaniacs addicted to the irresistible lure of power and its attendant prestige. A recurring decimal in Kongi’s Harvest is intrigue and hate not unlike the copious harvest of intrigue and hate that has been the lot of Kogi State these past few weeks. So much venom and acrimony has oozed out of this potential tourist haven. And so much blood-letting has been witnessed and reported within a short span of time. And from this line to the last I was engrossed and felt happy inside of me that someone could put down his thoughts in such and eloquent, guided manner. Perhaps you are aware, perhaps you are not but you touched on so many issues including the economy of the state, its history, diversity, the level of poverty, and indeed the violence and inordinate ambition of politicians that ultimately negatively impact the outcome of electoral processes. I passed through Lokoja and Okene last month and I was shocked by the level of burning and destruction that took place there. I asked myself: what are these people contributing to the GDP of Nigeria to warrant destruction and the cost of keeping the place secured. Most of their sons and daughters are in Abuja and other cities engaged in menial labour and instead of planning for these people they are busy killing each other and travelers( who have nothing to do with their madness). I am aware of the efforts of Mr. Tom Adaba and his group at calling attention to this madness but it appears nobody is listening and the rascals continue to unleash terror on everyone. It is a pity. I wonder to what extent we have to “accommodate” the blood thirsty politicians before they consume all of us. My brother when I grow up I will want to write like you taslim Posted by tanibaba| 29.03.2008 07:16

OSIBINAEBI  Villager

# 3 =tanibaba;4295000117>This is an excellent beutiful piece. You wrote: I passed through Lokoja and Okene last month and I was shocked by the level of burning and destruction that took place there. I asked myself: what are these people contributing to the GDP of Nigeria to warrant destruction and the cost of keeping the place secured. Most of their sons and daughters are in Abuja and other cities engaged in menial labour and instead of planning for these people they are busy killing each other and travelers( who have nothing to do with their madness). taslim TASLIM What were you thinking when you wrote the above, what is so peculiar about the political violence that has not been repeated in other parts of the country. Who told you their sons and daughters are in abuja and other cities engaged in menial jobs??? so all your own people are doing professional jobs i guess around the world. So how many travellers have they killed to your knowledge. Please i implore you to stop passing irrelevant comments if you have nothing to say. What is happening in Kogi state is very very bad and deplorable, it is disgusting,but that is not a yard stick for you to come and yap off your mouth about the people as whole. may be it will do you good to distinguish between Lokoja and Okene when you count the number of burnt houses, finally when has it become a yardstick to vandalise properties only when you contribute to the GDP(i can see the message of SOD taking root in your psyche). Posted by OSIBINAEBI| 29.03.2008 13:22

ALORAINIDDEVIL  Villager

# 4 =tanibaba;4295000117> I passed through Lokoja and Okene last month and I was shocked by the level of burning and destruction that took place there. I asked myself: what are these people contributing to the GDP of Nigeria to warrant destruction and the cost of keeping the place secured. Most of their sons and daughters are in Abuja and other cities engaged in menial labour and instead of planning for these people they are busy killing each other and travelers( who have nothing to do with their madness).taslim haaaaaaaaaaaahahaha aahahhahaa:lol::lol::lol: i go die say i dey laf 4 this Village square O!!! Posted by ALORAINIDDEVIL| 29.03.2008 17:47

tanibaba  Villager

# 5 @OSIBINAEBI you wrote: So how many travellers have they killed to your knowledge. Check today's papers. Almost all of them echoed the violence that marred the elections yesterday. And if you want to know the number of travellers killed ask the police, they will tell you. And for your information, the burning and destruction i was talking about took place on interstate road not in the village. Please i implore you to stop passing irrelevant comments if you have nothing to say. What is happening in Kogi state is very very bad and deplorable, it is disgusting, but that is not a yard stick for you to come and yap off your mouth about the people as whole. may be it will do you good to distinguish between Lokoja and Okene when you count the number of burnt houses, You are right about something here. The wanton destruction took place at Okene on the way to Lokoja. And that wasnt the first. The bolded part of your statement is unfounded and untrue. What i wrote is MOST and not ALL. You should know the difference between the two. And if you doubt me conduct a survey in Abuja, Kaduna and Lagos and dont forget to get to the "hot spots". finally when has it become a yardstick to vandalise properties only when you contribute to the GDP(i can see the message of SOD taking root in your psyche). This point in conjuction with the one before it combined will explain to you why there is a high degree of poverty in the state. Why should people who have abandoned their houses, rendered it desolate, are unproductive (check the CBN ranking of states) turn round to engage in violence at the instance of politicians. And as a gateway state, what is the impact of these series of violence on other Nigerians who pass through the state daily and who have nothing to do with their political problems. For more information contact the peace team led by Mr. Tom Adaba and you will understand that the state is being gradually dragged to the cemetry I dont know what you mean by the message of SOD and i dont have to be passionate about Kogi because it has NOTHING TO OFFER ME. taslim Posted by tanibaba| 30.03.2008 10:59

dele26  Villager

# 6 My prayer is that God gives Nigeria a president that will right the wrong called Kogi state by creating another state for the oppressed Yoruba speaking Kabba people. It’s a shame that none of the two warring opportunists is good enough for a local government let alone a state house, but can one expect anything better when mediocres hijack the ruling of hard working educated elites? Posted by dele26| 31.03.2008 16:43