The Curious Case of Kogi
Baring any last minute hitches, the people of Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria would go to the polls.
The choice before them can at best be described as a dilemma because they would have to choose between re electing an allegedly nonperforming incumbent Governor Idris Wada and another allegedly highly corrupt Former Governor, Prince Abubakar Audu whose corruption case is still very much on.
Like Nigerian Comedians would put it, Kogi People are in between the devil and the deep blue sea.
This is another classic example of society's fallen moral standards; the essence of elections for the electorates is to elect credible leaders capable of performing and on the other hand, to boot out the nonperforming leader.
To say the least, for the people of Kogi State, this all important essence of elections is lost as they prepare for their gubernatorial elections in a few weeks from now because they are left with the choice of continuing with a 'non performing' Governor or ditching him for a 'corrupt' ex Governor.
In a manner suggestive of adding salt to injury, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in Kogi State found no better candidate to give their ticket but instead, decided to give their party ticket to Wada while more frustratingly, the All Progressives Congress gave the pary ticket to Audu at the expense of the largely credible James Ocholi, whom those who watched the ministerial screening can testify that he is far better than Audu, at least on the surface level.
The Kogi misfortune is a sad commentary for our nation's nascent democracy because we as a people are gradually gaining the reputation of a people who chase their best brains into oblivion, and then settle for the corrupt, unintelligent, non performing politicians.
If we continue this way, we are confirming the generally held view that politics in Nigeria is not for decent people but for those who are ready to get dirty in the mud.
It is in times like this that I begin to yield to that voice within me that suggest for 'a Rise of the Third Force'(apologies to Ohimai and others who might have used the phrase).
Maybe, just maybe, we must start to look beyond the APC and the PDP and start to explore more credible alternatives especially when both parties fail to meet up with the expectations of propelling our nation in our quest for the attainment of our dreams as a nation.
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