As elections approach, two dangerous patterns are returning—vote-buying disguised as philanthropy and the imposition of candidates by powerful interests. This is not generosity. This is manipulation, and if we accept it, we surrender our future.
But we must remind ourselves that we were not always like this.
In 1991, when Kogi State was created, the governorship election was only months away. There were just two parties, SDP and NRC. The Igala people did not sit back. They did not wait for the highest spender. They made a conscious and deliberate decision to search for their best.
Dr. Steven Achema was called upon to contest because of his proven record in grassroots development, from his days as ISA national President to his work with the AADP World Bank project and the purposeful leadership he provided as Chairman of Idah Local Government.
On the other hand, leaders met and took a strategic decision to invite Prince Abubakar Audu, a seasoned banker and technocrat, to contest. Though not a career politician at the time, his track record, including his role in the construction of Ejule–Aloma–Otukpa road project, showed capacity and vision while serving as commissioner for finance in Benue State.
That election in December 1991 presented Igala land with two of its finest. Prince Abubakar Audu emerged victorious and became the first Executive Governor of Kogi State, a decision that remains defensible even today. Dr. Steven Achema, in rare statesmanship, accepted the outcome without resorting to the courts in the spirit of unity and brotherhood. The gladiators became dominant factors in Igala political trajectory until their demise.
That moment was not accidental. It was the result of deliberate leadership recruitment by the Igala people.
Today, we are drifting away from that legacy. Money is replacing merit. Candidates are being imposed. Our best minds are silent, and our elites are watching in complacency.
This is a dangerous path.
There must be a conscious return to the spirit of 1991. Our elites must rise again to identify, persuade, and support credible and competent individuals. Party leaders must resist external imposition and stand for candidates with proven capacity. The people must look beyond handouts and insist on leadership that can deliver real results irrespective of party affiliation.
The truth is that we are not lacking in capacity. The Igala nation is blessed with a deep reservoir of talent and experience. We have highly professional retired military personnel, seasoned technocrats from both the public and private sectors, accomplished business leaders, and intellectuals of great repute. There is no shortage of capable hands to draw from. What is required is the will to deliberately bring them forward.
Leadership is not about who gives the most today. It is about who has the competence to secure tomorrow. We have lowered the bars so much that our people get carried away by thinking that possession of wealth in the only yardstick for leadership recruitment.
In Benue State, the Tiv people are so advanced politically that they are very deliberate in their leadership recruitment. We have witnessed the emergence of Rev Fathers as their Governors. Rev Fr. Moses Adasu in 1991 and Rev. Fr Alia in 2023. It takes serious mindedness of a people to recruit the clergy into high positions of such without considering the money bags among them.
The year 2027 is before us. The question is whether we will repeat the mistakes of recent times or reenact the wisdom of 1991.
We have done it before. We can do it again.
Let us not sleep over our rights. Let us not remain silent while our future is decided for us.
Our future must not be bought. Our choices must not be dictated. Our best must not be ignored.
In 1991, we chose deliberately and we got results. In 2027, we must do the same.
This time, let us attempt to get it right. We can avert the reoccurring lamentation by the choices we make.
Jonathan Jibrin
