By Abdul Mohammed Lawal.
Kogi East has always played a decisive role in the state’s political landscape, but in recent times, its path has often seemed reactionary rather than strategic. The fundamental question remains: What does Kogi East truly want?
From 2019 till now, we have witnessed a pattern: anyone who challenges Bello, whether directly or indirectly, quickly gains the sympathy and support of Kogi East’s political elite and masses. Is our political future about constructive leadership, or is it merely a battle against one man? If it is the latter, how sustainable is this approach?
The continued obsession with opposing Bello has clouded the region’s ability to set a clear political direction. Instead of rallying behind a vision for development, Kogi East has spent its energy on resistance campaigns that often serve external interests more than the region’s own. Are we choosing our leaders based on merit and vision, or simply aligning with whoever opposes our perceived enemy?
If Kogi East is to remain politically relevant and influential, it must move beyond reactive politics. Beyond Bello, what does the region truly want? Who are the leaders that can genuinely drive progress? What kind of political culture should we cultivate to ensure sustainable development?
The time has come for Kogi East to redefine its priorities and make choices that serve its collective interest rather than being driven by fleeting political antagonisms.
His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello’s tenure between 2016 and 2024 was marked by aggressive perception management, often in ways that painted him as a leader who could never be good enough, no matter his efforts. Groundbreaking policies and infrastructural strides were overlooked, while narratives of failure and inefficiency dominated the discourse. Why was this the case? Isn’t God so wonderful?
For a significant portion of Kogi East, Bello was never going to be seen in a positive light. Every decision he made was scrutinised with the intent to discredit rather than to evaluate fairly. Even when his administration recorded key achievements in infrastructure, education, and security, the dominant narrative remained that he had done nothing.
Why was this perception so difficult to change? Was it solely due to his policies, or was it part of a larger psychological and political warfare against his administration? The answer likely lies in the control of public perception by those who had vested interests in ensuring that Bello remained unpopular in Kogi East.
During his time in office, a well-coordinated media campaign was deployed to paint him as the worst thing to happen to Kogi State. Detractors controlled narratives, feeding the masses with content that ensured that no matter what he did, he would always be seen as a failure. His close relationship with certain political figures and his attempts to change the status quo in Kogi politics made him a target of those who preferred the old system of governance.
The 2023 gubernatorial elections provided a clear example of this perception war. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) handlers masterfully turned the election into a referendum on Bello rather than a contest among candidates. Usman Ododo, who eventually emerged victorious, was barely acknowledged. For them, was the real fight against Ododo, or was it always about Bello?
One could argue that such a stance was understandable while he was still in power. But what about now? Bello is no longer governor, yet the same machinery that opposed him remains active. Why?
Following Bello’s exit, the SDP’s well-oiled media campaign has seamlessly repositioned itself; not to challenge governance, but to rally behind anything that could challenge the New Direction ideologies. Their latest tool is Senator Natasha H Akpoti-Uduaghan in her ongoing Senate battles. The motivation isn’t necessarily about legislative struggles or policies; rather, it appears to be another carefully crafted attempt to mobilise anti-Bello sentiment.
Why is Kogi East more invested in Natasha’s political battles than in its own political direction? Since when did the affairs of Kogi Central become a primary concern for Kogi East, even more than its internal governance challenges?
The answer may lie in political calculations. Some believe that if Kogi East stands by Natasha now, she will, in turn, align with their interests when the time comes. Others see this as an attempt to create instability within Kogi Central, weakening their political cohesion ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Regardless of the motivation, one thing is clear: the same media machinery that was used to challenge Bello and Ododo is now at the forefront of Natasha’s defense. Are the people genuinely behind Natasha because of her legislative impact, or is she just a convenient tool in the larger battle against Bello and the current state administration?
Or is this just another paid publicity job?
Kogi East, a region rich in history and potential, cannot afford to be caught up in the politics of Kogi Central rather than answering questions about its own future. Why has Kogi East not been able to invest this same level of passion and commitment into advancing its own political interests?
It’s such an irony. If Kogi East could channel even a fraction of the unity and drive seen in Kogi Central’s political activities, could it have positioned itself better in the political arena?
Instead of focusing on a region that has already carved out its political space, Kogi East might find more benefit in rallying its resources around its own development and leadership. The political energy could be better invested in advancing local leaders who understand the unique needs and aspirations of the people. Can the region ever realise its true potential if its priorities remain out of sync with its own long-term growth?
Let’s assume their primary belief is true: that working together with Natasha now will weaken Kogi Central’s political power, destabilise its control, and improve Kogi East’s chances of winning the governorship in the next election. But is this strategy truly realistic? Can such a move actually lead to the desired outcome? The plan seems to rely on selling sentiments to create division, which may have short-term benefits, but could also lead to long-term consequences that Kogi East may not fully control.
While some may argue that this is a smart political play, is this approach truly in the best interest of Kogi East? Should the region’s political future depend on destabilising others, or should it focus on building its own unity, leadership, and influence from within? Is this strategy a temporary fix, or does it have the potential to create lasting political growth?
Kogi East must decide whether its political future should be defined by opposition to Governor Bello or by charting its own path. Is being anti-Bello a strategy, or just a distraction from building a sustainable future?
Beyond the figures of Bello and Natasha, what kind of leadership does Kogi East truly need? Is it time for the region to look beyond individual personalities and focus on long-term leadership that represents its true interests and values?
If emotions, rivalries, and manipulations continue to dominate political decisions, Kogi East may find itself stuck in a cycle of instability. The region must shift its focus from short-term political games to a more strategic, sustainable vision for the future. Only then can Kogi East achieve the political stability and growth it deserves.
I didn’t stay up all night writing this piece just for reading’s sake. I want every Kogi Easterner that comes across it to ask themselves the pressing questions it raises. Before any political divide, we are first Kogi Easterners. It is time to wake up and question even those seen as messiahs.
What are their intentions toward us? Are they presenting a real strategic discourse, or is their only concern to keep trailing a visibly growing Yahaya Bello? What are they doing right now, aside from waiting to contest elections every four years?
Are you still looking at His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, CON, as the problem or you have started thinking and seeing wider than they want you to?
I know my answers already, but it is left to you, the reader, to determine yours. May whatever we believe in never fails us.