It seems Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state is serious about his rumored interest to contest in the 2023 presidential elections. On March 3, 2021, he convinced the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN) and Northern Consensus Movement with their Chairmen from all the 36 states of Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to reach an agreement to end the food blockade to the south. On February 28, the governor met former President Olusegun Obasanjo. On February 26, he bagged the “Businessday Good Governance Award 2020” as the Best Governor in Women and Youth Empowerment. On February 23, he received clergy men and women. On February 17, he received an award from the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN). On February 8, he made a daring attempt to bring back to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani Kayode (FFK).
The big question is, does Yahaya Bello have the capacity to be president in 2023? Has he done enough as governor of Kogi state to convince other Nigerians to vote for him? How about the quest to return power to the south, considering that Bello is a northerner? Would he use his youthful advantage to win over Nigerians?
If Yahaya Bello wants to be president in 2023, he must use four factors as starting points. First, he needs to showcase to Nigerians what he has achieved or achieving as the governor of Kogi state. Second, he must convince southern politicians on why it should be him and not them, after eight years of a fellow northerner- Muhammdu Buhari. Third, and the most difficult, he must convince the APC as a party to give him its presidential ticket via support from the critical stakeholders and the ‘owners’ of the party. Governor Yahaya Bello has done well in mobilization for the ongoing membership revalidation of the APC. Fourth, and the last, he must convince his primary constituency, the north, to rally behind him.
Some six years ago, Governor Yahaya Bello, one of the youngest governors in Nigeria, found himself in the saddle of responsibilities at a period when Nigerians’ quest for change was strong and people had high expectations from the leaders. It was a period most states, including Bello’s Kogi, were witnessing near breakdown of most systems, high level of poverty, corruption, energy crisis, insecurity and the pitiable misrule.
The Yahaya Bello I know during my short stay at the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) is not the Yahaya Bello as governor of Kogi state. At RMAFC, he was at the Allocation Department, while I was at Planning, Research and Statistics. Well, we expect his return to the real him – a great thinker, a Silicon Valley thinker, a man who can move the government with the speed of the imagination of most Kogites.
Bello still has ample time. He has a golden opportunity to redeem and relaunch his political career. Bello can as well choose to assert full authority and put a strong personal stamp on his government and go to sleep. Many young Nigerians had hope that Yahaya Bello as governor would serve as a fulcrum for youths to prove that they can lead in creative and innovative ways during a period of uncommon challenges. Has Yahaya proven that?
Governor Yahaya has done well in his on rights, especially in the area of security. But his opponents say his non-payment of workers’ salaries as at when due, which is a matter of life and death, has rubbished all the areas where he has excelled. His opponents say he is controversial, therefore Nigeria is complex and too big for him. They further say some factors brought Yahaya Bello back to Lugard House, Lokoja – Kogites’ unique historic way of voting every man for his own, incumbency. Bello had at his disposal power, resources and federal might that scared any political opponent. During his re-election campaign, the APC supported Governor Yahaya Bello massively – the party didn’t look at Yahaya Bello as person, rather they ‘pre-gauged’ 2023 as losing Kogi would be politically disastrous for the APC in 2023.
Nigeria’s politics for presidency is exceptionally unpredictable. Governor Yahaya Bello may surprise us since he has started early. He may get some support from some southern politicians, since it is a matter of politics. The northern oligarchy may be too-hard for him to knock, but he may scoop some of their support including that the youth may rally round him. Getting APC’s presidential ticket is big game, depending on where the support of President Muhammadu Buhari and his lieutenants tilt. Governor Yahaya Bello is in a big gamble. Though, that’s what politics is.
Muhammad writes from Abuja via 08036070980, [email protected]
