I have been constrained to write you through the media because I do not have an alternative way of reaching you and making my opinions known on this topic, which I think is equally shared by many Kogites of my generation and conscious elders irrespective of ethnic, political or religious differences.
Candidly, I only wanted to express my frustrations at the shape and turn of things in the state and take you to task on previously given assurances that you feel the pains which Kogites are grappling with. While thanking you most profusely for feeling our pains, we would be better off if there were immediate remedial steps which could bail us from further hardships. The pains for want of a better word are unimaginable and any hint of its continuing will not augur well for us as a people. This situation has also forced some unscrupulous parents and relatives into corrupt practices in their places of work in order to support their families.
You will ask me why I’m saying there is hope even though it is glaring that this Kogi is a thick shadow of itself and by all indications, the state for the last two years has witnessed one of the darkest moments of our economic existence.
Even though today also marks the second year in office of the APC administration, that is not what we are celebrating. The hardship that has been brought upon the average Kogite in the last two years is so evident of the failure of leadership in all quarters in our state.
From state to local government areas, the institutions of democracy continue to weaken; rule of law is now dependent on the opinion of the executives, the freedom of speech is now under attack and the public office is now filled with those who lack the capacity to put the state first.
It is on this note I took my pen to pour out my heart and opinion about this administration so far. Sir, the power sector among others is been abated daily with most part of the state been unable to boast of six hours of electricity daily. The ever sufficient potholes on our roads are still there on most of our Federal roads with most of our roads still an express way to death.
Drinkable water is still a problem in many parts of the state as most citizens do not have access to drinkable water.
I will like to enjoin Mr. Governor to improve on his ability to tolerate opposition and bear criticisms. This is what makes true Democracy.
The truth of the matter, sir, is that never have we witnessed on this scale the excruciating pains and feelings of hopelessness now pervasive, not even the hardship of the second republic comes any close. Never have we sunken to this depths of despair with prospects of further decline. We feel captured, vanquished, obviously betrayed and worried as citizens of Kogi state . Every citizen is worried and it is not unusual to hear tales of lamentations when two or more of our state men and women congregate these days. The tales are so frightening and mind-wrecking that even the rich are not immune. These are indeed perilous times.
Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong , and never to be content with a half-truth when the whole truth can be won . Embrace the whole truth and do not let people within your immediate circle deceive or delude you into believing otherwise- pensioners and workers are tired and pained at heart . Come to their rescue. Fix our state and our lives , that’s all we ask for by voting APC into office.
Change we demanded, not chain.
May you think and act wisely in the interest of the people of Kogi state.
– Alfa Tijani, a media aficionado, writes from Kogi state
No comments:
Post a Comment