YAHAYA BELLO BETRAYED BY TRUST, REDEEMED BY CHOICE BY ABDUL MOHAMMED LAWAL
YAHAYA BELLO: BETRAYED BY TRUST, REDEEMED BY CHOICE – ABDUL MOHAMMED LAWAL Leadership is often seen as a fragile bridge of trust; built with vision, maintained with integrity, and, most times, tested by the actions of others. His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, is an example of the strength needed to overcome such tests. His leadership in Kogi State broke barriers, empowered ordinary people, and set a “New Direction” for governance. Yet, it was not without its share of betrayals, challenges, and eventual redemption. From the beginning of his administration, Bello’s leadership was focused on empowering the average Kogite. He broke away from the old system of privilege, and gave opportunities to those who might never have had a chance to rise to prominence. By trusting these individuals with important responsibilities, Bello redefined governance and opened doors for many. This vision brought beautiful results. Many of those Yahaya Bello empowered became successful leaders, and proved his ability to recognise and nurture potential. Their success is a product of his uncommon foresight that hasn’t been talked about enough. However, not all could handle the weight of responsibility. Some misused the trust given to them, and turned it into a means to serve themselves instead of the people. These individuals worked to protect their new positions by creating a false image of loyalty. To the public, they were not fair in their dealings most times, but they tried to appear as dedicated servants with no fault. But to their principal, they reported a distorted version of events and provided proofs that aligned with their stories. They treated Bello’s kindness as a personal treasure to keep for themselves. For a time, they managed to mask their intentions and seemed indispensable, but their actions slowly began to undermine the ideals of the administration. Too many lies were told to and against their principal to uphold a status quo that they established. But, how could they think it would go unnoticed forever? As the saying goes, the truth always comes out. Over time, their real value began to fade, and their betrayals came to light. While they failed to notice their declining relevance, the “New Direction” government continued its work in building a secure, prosperous, and united Kogi State. Bello, always watchful, saw through the games being played, and prepared for the key decision of choosing a successor. The question of succession brought its own set of challenges. As the New Direction government matured, the good, the bad and the ugly within the administration sought to take over leadership. Some believed their closeness to Bello gave them the right to succeed him, while others relied on the influence they felt they had built. Yet, Bello had always said that his choice would go beyond personal loyalty and focus on what was best for Kogi State. In a bold and unexpected move, Bello endorsed His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, as his successor. This decision surprised many and was met with resistance from some quarters. Those who had played their games now acted like victims, and claimed they had been unfairly treated. But Bello’s decision was clear; it was about securing the future of Kogi State, not pleasing individual ambitions. When Ododo took office, there was doubt about whether Bello’s decision had been right or wrong. Critics questioned his capability, and those who felt betrayed spun a narrative to discredit him. The ethnic and emotional cards that accompanied the 2023 Kogi State gubernatorial made it easy for them to push their narratives on the common man, but Ododo’s early achievements already proved them wrong. His performance silenced critics and keeps setting a high standard for leadership in Kogi State. Who said those who could manipulate the emotions of Kogites for…
Dons Eze
