Kogi East is endowed with vast human and mineral resources, yet the region continues to face persistent challenges, including unemployment, poor infrastructure, insecurity and limited economic opportunities.
The contradiction is difficult to ignore. The senatorial district has produced accomplished professionals in law, academia, medicine, business and other fields, while its mineral wealth holds enormous economic potential. Yet, many communities continue to struggle with basic developmental needs.
This raises a critical question: Where did Kogi East get it wrong?
One explanation lies in the region’s political culture, where public office is increasingly perceived by many as an avenue for patronage, political loyalty and personal advancement rather than public service.
At the grassroots, local government councils are expected to drive development, but many communities continue to demand greater accountability over projects, resources and representation. The same concerns extend to the state and federal levels, where political calculations often dominate discussions that should centre on jobs, infrastructure, education, healthcare and economic development.
Of particular concern is the reported case of Tony Tony, a citizen said to have participated in a protest over conditions in his community.
According to accounts surrounding the incident, Tony Tony was allegedly assaulted and subsequently remanded in custody.
If established, the circumstances raise serious questions about the treatment of citizens who exercise their right to peaceful expression and demand accountability from those in authority.
A democratic society should respond to peaceful protest with dialogue and lawful engagement. Where a protester is suspected of committing an offence, the appropriate course is investigation, prosecution where necessary and due process—not violence or intimidation.
It is therefore important that the circumstances surrounding Tony Tony’s arrest, alleged assault and continued detention be subjected to transparent investigation.
If there is no lawful basis for his continued detention, he should be released. If charges exist, he should be accorded his constitutional rights and allowed to defend himself through a fair judicial process.
Equally, any person found responsible for the alleged assault should face the law, irrespective of political connections or affiliation.
The Kogi State House of Assembly and elected representatives at the national level should also take an interest in the matter. Their responsibility extends beyond party politics and electoral calculations; they are representatives of the people and should be prepared to speak when citizens’ rights are allegedly threatened.
The Tony Tony case also highlights a broader concern about political participation in Kogi East.
Young people should not be reduced to instruments of political violence. They should be empowered to build businesses, pursue careers and participate meaningfully in governance without fear of intimidation.
Political competition should be about ideas, competence and measurable development programmes—not godfatherism, patronage or the control of political structures.
Kogi East does not lack talented people. What appears to be lacking is a political environment capable of consistently converting the region’s human and natural resources into broad-based development.
The people therefore have a responsibility to demand more from those who seek to represent them.
The critical questions should be straightforward: What has a candidate achieved? What is the candidate offering? How will those promises be delivered? And who will hold the office holder accountable?
The immediate issue, however, remains Tony Tony.
His case should not be reduced to a political contest. It should be treated as a test of the commitment of authorities to the rule of law, citizens’ rights and accountability.
FREE TONY TONY.
If he committed an offence, let the law take its course. If he did not, he should not remain in detention merely for expressing concerns about his community.
And if he was assaulted, those responsible must be identified and brought to justice.
Kogi East deserves a political culture that rewards competence over sycophancy, accountability over blind loyalty and development over personal interest.
LET JUSTICE PREVAIL. LET KOGI EAST BREATHE.
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