By Sani Mohammed
It is unfortunate that we live in a society where mediocrity and ignorance is celebrated, a case of one Austin Okai, who can hardly read or write, but an ethnic jingoist.
Ordinarily one would have been tempted to keep mute over an illiterate ethnic champion, very ignorant of the law. Someone who would beg people to write for him and put his byeline to scam his people who see him as a perceived activist, and swindle them to financially enrich his empire.
His article: Governor Usman Ododo’s Anti-Corruption Efforts: A Case of Hypocrisy and Eye-Service, exposes his illiteracy and ignorance, making him a laughing stock.
That there is wide jubilation with genuine activists like Comr. Idris Miliki of CHRC, Amza Aliyu of INGRA and Comr. Idris Ozovehe, Chairman of KONGONET and others, outrightly commending the signing of the Anti corruption law by Gov. Usman Ododo, is enough testament to the nobility of such a great move. One then wonders when the voice of a neophyte who wants to play to the gallery will become an issue.
Let it be placed on record that since his assumption of office as Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo has not pretended in his actions and policies of his commitment to the fight against corruption.
He has shown this in his prudent management of resources, accountability, making public the monthly allocation and expenditures. He went further by ensuring that he drastically reduced the cost of Governance, a feat that has made him receive commendation within and outside the State and by relevant authorities saddled with measuring fight against corruption.
It is most unfortunate that, apart from those who see Austin Okai as an ethnic agendaist, not a few people are aware that he is actually the face of corruption when the meaning of the word is juxtaposed with his fraudulent activities, perception, unstable political character.
It is an open secret that the administration of Gov. Ododo has been transparent in his dealings and actions, the jubilation about how far he has fared in his one hundred days across the State, is an indication that he is the choice of the people by reason of his openness to governance.
Gov. Yahaya Bello has been commended for his ability to install a worthy and capable successor who has proven capability, capacity and adequate preparedness for Governance.
Let Austin Okai and those who helped him to write the article know that Gov. Yahaya Bello has walked freely since he handed over in January. There is nothing wrong to be under investigation. Informed and unbiased Nigerians who are aware of his protection under the law are only asking for due process to be followed. Anyway, they are already in court, so what exactly is the aim of the likes of this Okai other than trying hard to justify the resources they have fraudulently milked from their paymasters?
Indeed, despite the medial trials, everyone saw that at the last court sitting where Former Governor Yahaya Bello and his defence lawyers were ready to appear, the EFCC lawyers said the date was not convenient.
Until proven otherwise, former Gov Bello remains innocent. That Gov. Bello left indelible marks, scoring excellent in assessments by many international and national rating organizations, tells the real story beyond dangerous ethnic and political persecution.
It is unfortunate that Okai like he always does to score cheap but dumb unpopularity of his likes, would allege that Gov. Ododo recently drove Yahaya Bello to Okene for Sallah celebrations and returned him to Lugard House, fueling concerns about his true intentions.
This is a most unfortunate allegation, a lie from the pit of hell by a nonentity, who is making a mess of his non-existent career by spewing senseless lies and propaganda.
The Anti-graft agencies have there mode of operations, and it will not require Gov. Ododo to hand over Yahaya Bello over to the EFCC for investigation. This shows that Okai, an ethnic champion, never do well, only wants to score relevance. But well meaning people of the East know that he is a rabble rouser and would never have him as an ethnic voice.
Without mincing words, Gov. Ododo has proven that he is resolutely committed to the fight against corruption, from the outset, and has proven that he would kill corruption in all forms.
While I would advise former Gov Bello to immediately take legal action against this nonentity called Okai for his unending defamation, I want to reiterate that no matter how Okai and his co-travellers try to rewrite history, patriotic citizens from Kogi State are aware that former Governor Bello has done exceedingly well in his eight years.
We urge Austin Okai to urgently visit a psychiatric home to heal himself from the mental ailment associated with the defeat of his candidate at the polls. Yahaya Bello or Ododo did not cause your misfortune.
Preliminary results, however, showed that he only allowed his name on the write-up without knowing the implications, by reason of illiteracy and ignorance.
Sani Mohammed,
A Public Affairs Commentator, Writes from Dekina
