History is the most enduring judge of humanity as it tells a story of a lifetime in dice; from both sides of a coin devoid of stereotypes and that is why in judging the life of a man, it is not how far he lives rather as the popular saying goes to say “but how well.” The Igala people which constitute more than half of Kogi state population have been in search of history from the memories, the living and even from the next generation.
The search for history by the Igala people has been based in selfless and purposive leadership that could leave indelible impacts and legacies on the surface of Igala politics and development. The lives and times of Dr. Stephen Makoji Achema, Professor Francis Sulemanu Idachaba, and Prince Abubakar Audu have been the Igala tested references to leadership of memories. When Prince Abubakar Audu died, it came with fears the huge question of who would pick the Igala left to a corner.
Today in the narrative of Igala leadership it features barefooted the personality of Honorable Murtala Yakubu Ajaka. Who then is Hon. Ajaka?
Hon. Ajaka is the incumbent Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) rising to prominence in all solitude of an unusual life. As a chieftain of APC, Ajaka has been committed to the ideal principles of his party especially on social welfare. He has demonstrated this to his suffering people of Kogi east.
Fondly called “Muri-Nation”, Ajaka is a founding member of the ruling party. His membership of the party dated back to the days of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) where he worked as the Chief Security Officer of the party’s National Secretariat. Subsequently, with the CPC merger with other political parties in 2013 birthing the APC, he was appointed by the then National Secretary of the party now the Yobe state governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni as his aide from the party’s Secretariat to Yobe State government house.
The connection between Ajaka and Mai Mala Buni is one that is deeply rooted in “knotted trust” for a young man aspiring to build relationship with decision makers of the country while having a burning passion to use his influence for the benefits of his people.
Little wonder as Ajaka is widely regarded by many as “the eye of Buni” at the party’s National Secretariat during the latter’s tenure as an interim National Chairman of APC. The opportunity provided to him was translated into honor and glory for the people of Kogi east in search of selfless leadership.
Coming from the dominated ethnic group in the state, he carefully understudied the peculiarities of politics with his people especially by the privileged Igalas themselves. Being unhappy with absolute lack of purposeful leadership, Ajaka went into the race.
In his determination to re-write the Igala leadership narratives, from his teeming capacity, he has been laying a solid foundation to define the next generation of Igala leaders. His focus has been on initiating people’s-oriented projects, programs and plans for the benefits of the people.
In demonstration of his quest to give back to the people, he has been providing succor to the suffering and maligned Igala populace. Despite not having a known or an established charitable organization, many people have continued to sing his songs of praises in Igala land.
For instance, Idah which is the headquarter of Igala land was witnessing insecurity crisis including killings in the nights. The entire streets of Idah were impassable from 7pm impending businesses while causing economic loss. In an attempt to support the security initiative of the current state government, Ajaka initiated street lighting in all streets of Idah and extended same to other local government areas in Kogi east.
In the same vain, he recently waded into the suffering of the entire Kogi people experiencing flood crisis by providing about forty million naira as relief to the victims flood across the affected local government areas in Kogi state. This gesture for the entire people of Kogi is not one to be politicized for as many who truly identify with the victims and are aware of their distresses know this is a pure act of humanity from Ajaka.
A few privileged and selfish Igala politicians have attempted to distract Ajaka from the good initiatives he has been doing for his people. Thus, his pure humanity and charitable gestures have continued to be misunderstood as having behind a motive to become the next governor of the state. Although Ajaka through the press had cleared their speculations that such aspiration was unfounded behind his genuine love to give back to his people, they have continued to see him as a threat to their inordinate political ambitions.
For the life and personality of Ajaka, any well-meaning person from Kogi east should normally feel grateful for his morally compelled spirit of giving back to his large community. Even when he may choose to run for any political office in the state in the future, that should be seen as an opportunity to redefine leadership deficit in Kogi east.
To all politicians in the state who feel challenged by his progressive character, they should emulate his lifestyle in realization that power and position are to better the condition of the less privileged. It should also be noted that Ajaka at least for the time being is not in any contest of personal interest in the state but has been in the Igala leadership race and it appears he has been winning.
Otiwe in an indigene of Ofu local government area of Kogi state. He writes from Abuja via [email protected] 080641886868/08110160639
