Ododonomic speech and the resurgence of hope in kogi.
The exchange of baton of government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello to Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has ended in Kogi. However, what has just begun is the ability of the administration to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the state , writes Atabor Julius from a village in Kogi.
The much expected Saturday 27th January, 2024 has come and gone. It was like every other day to non kogites. But those in the state it was a day to be remembered.
This day was pregnant with expectations. To those on the other side of governance, it was a day to accentuate their crave for a paradigm . However, the man of the day, the new Governor in town, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo left many cynics and optimists waging.
As it often with Nigeria’s ceremonial rituals, a speech is expected to unbundle the mindset of an administration .it is to reinforce and restore confidence of the led into the governance mechanics. And from nooks and crannies of the state and even from the outside world, homosapiens competed for a space to hear sermons of new czar that would lead them into the frenzy of certainty of hope in the state.
The Muhammadu Buhari Center in Lokoja has to play host to enthusiasts. Men and women, young and old , have and have nots, bureaucrats and technocrats, civil servants and artisans struggled for scarce space . Saturday 27, clad with Babaringa, danced to the welcome of the craziest . Every one hassled to be spotted by the new sheriff in town. To those seeking for parks of the state, it was their day to be identified. To those whose presence is to know the minds of their new king , no where is too sacrilegious for them to hang.
This day was eclectic with diverse colours of entertainers and jokers inching for left overs from the benefactors. It was a beehive of activities, not minding the inclement weather. The wait was worthy. News of the arrival of important personalities hung in the balance. Even a staccato of sirens which was in high supply was loud enough to be equated for that of a chopper. Every one looked into the air , even the birds flying could be mistaken for the much awaited ogas. And they came in their numbers , including the vice president, Kashim Shetima and APC national Chairman Dr.Abdullahi Ganduje. The ritual had started .National Anthem was sung, directed by the colourful police band.
The event signified an epoch. It was the first time in the history of the state that a political ward is hosting both exit and entry of governors.
Speakers to speakers thrown up torrential messages of hope. The cacophonous message of healing of political wounds took the center stage, if , at all, could balm the disdain, even as the crowds still held their fingers in their lips waiting to hear the man of the moment. They were anxious to hear the sermon, guessing wether the deliverer would speak from the head or from the heart.
The moment came at about 2.35pm. Ododo, the new Governor, of the confluence state, although not a flowing talker, has to demonstrate his ability of convinction. They had hardly heard him speaking to their needs throughout the electioneering period. He was not a man given to rhetorics. His profession- accounting- does not really lend to oratory. He needed the occasion to indelible himself in the minds of the people. He needs the power of attraction through words to position his administration in the hearts of the people.
He needed the speech to capture and hold on to the fragile audience. The lines craftily scripted to arouse the reticent to obliterate the immediate past.
The state needs healing and unification. The election had polarised the state. He needed a speech that will balm the disunited wounds. He saw this lacuna in the faces of Kogites and he needed to reclaim them.
He didn’t waste time. He set the stage running with the word UNITY. His speech chose Unity as its lait motif. Unity and peaceful coexistence was the central theme of his sermon.
In his words” There would no longer be politics of bitterness in the State as thought us by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu. I urged all the people of the State to join hands with me in building a virile Kogi State.
” I will build on the Solid foundation of unity existing in the State. I will strive not to undermine the trust placed on me and to lead the people of the State to the path of greatness.
” I promise to govern with the fear of God, fairness, equity and justice and i promised to be transparent and accountable to every member of the state” These lines were captivating to arrest the bewildered.
The bewildered audience, were locked in disbelief of the authenticity of his heart throughout the lines of the speech.
By the time the new brand Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, got to the fifth paragraph of the text, the cynical minds burst into flames of applauding match. The shout was electric and supersonic which resonated throughout the state. To connect with the people, the programme was beamed live From Okene to Ankpa, Ejiba to Bagana and elsewhere across the state Ododonomic clinically rent the air .
To many , the speech was soothing that has the propensity to heal, unite and shape divergent opinions across the state . The speech was instructive as it’s delivery was reassuring. However, the state is waiting for how to match the spirit and letters of the speech to galvanise a new dawn of hope for the people, is an acid test for him and his administration.
Atabor Julius write from a village in kogi.
