Political Patronage or Genuine Love?
By Abdul Mohammed Lawal.
The intricacies of leadership in Nigeria make it one of the most challenging fields, even for the best of academics, who could spend a lifetime studying it without fully understanding its entirety. Decisions can quickly shift from bad to worse, alliances change abruptly, and propaganda plays a central role in forming perceptions and beliefs. Yet, this unpredictability is part of what makes the space fascinating.
In the political landscape, it is painful but true that sycophancy and public office patronage play celebrated roles in the stories of even the greatest leaders. Unfortunately, this reality doesn’t seem to be ending anytime soon. But why do leaders often fail to recognize these acts? Or is it simply a part of the political game?
One of my esteemed mentors once asked me whether politicking in Nigeria could exist as we know it without the influence, both good and bad, of sycophants. It took me over ten minutes to draw a distinction between genuine supporters of leadership ideals and sycophants who merely follow power wherever it lies. In the end, he smiled as we both agreed that the lines between the two were too blurry to decipher from a distance.
Even when I choose not to write about leadership and politics in Kogi State, I often find myself doing so because issues that people usually shy away from keep coming up. It’s a challenging task, but this is my small way of contributing to the vision of a better Kogi. You may not always agree with what I write, but deep down, you should know that these are facts.
His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has been a subject of interest since 2015, when his name first became prominent in Kogi’s political space. Many took notice, wondering how a newcomer to politics managed to secure the position of first runner-up in the 2015 APC gubernatorial primaries. When fate determined his path after the election’s outcome, he became a subject of admiration and criticism across the state.
This admiration gradually grew into love and loyalty, while the criticism deepened into hatred. To the latter, he was labelled as “not good enough,” and nothing he did ever satisfied them; they always found something negative. I was once part of this group, but I decided to open my mind.
But beyond all the noise, it is important to look at the facts and see the reality behind the headlines. Leadership, especially in a place like Kogi State, is never easy. Bello’s time as governor was full of both achievements and challenges. Yet, can we ignore the improvements in infrastructure, his efforts to bring unity to the state, or the opportunities he created for young people and women?
While no leader is perfect, it is also fair to recognize the good things he did during his time in office. It is easy to join others in criticizing, but how many people stop to think about the difficulties of running a state like Kogi, which has struggled with the ethnic divide for years?
The recent issues with the EFCC are just another part of Nigerian politics, where people’s opinions are often shaped before the truth comes out. The public is quick to judge, even when all the facts are not yet clear. However, the media trials were expected if your name is “Yahaya Bello” and you are Kogi Central. But history has shown that time will tell a different story in the end, no matter how long it takes.
Whether you support Bello or not, one thing is certain: his time in office will be talked about for years to come. Perhaps this is what truly defines a leader; not whether everyone agrees with them, but whether they make people think, challenge old ideas, and leave behind a legacy that cannot be ignored.
The question is not whether Bello’s time as governor was perfect (no government ever is), but whether he set the stage for a better Kogi. For every person who criticises him, there is another who believes in his vision. Maybe the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
Following his release on bail, Yahaya Bello returned home to a hero’s welcome. Okene, his hometown, erupted in celebration as supporters and well-wishers gathered to show their solidarity. The streets were filled with cheers, traditional dances, and displays of loyalty that showcased the connection people still feel towards his leadership. For many, it’s his story of strength in the face of adversity that they came out to celebrate.
In the days that followed, politicians from across Kogi State made their way to Okene and turned it into their temporary base. They came with praises, pledges of loyalty, and public declarations of support for Bello. While some of these gestures seemed real, it was hard to ignore the presence of sycophants; those who had distanced themselves during his troubles but now rushed to align themselves with his name.
Their actions raised a question in my mind: is this genuine love for Bello and his leadership, or merely political patronage? Many of these individuals had been uncertain about the outcome of his case and had waited on the sidelines, but now, with his release, they eagerly returned to claim their place by his side.
To Yahaya Bello, the celebrations and loyalty must feel validating after months of challenges. Yet, he must keep the bitter lessons learnt of the complex nature of Nigerian politics, where alliances can shift as quickly as fortunes. Okene will continue to buzz with activity as he remains there, but is this outpouring of support out of true admiration or simply another example of opportunistic politicking?
In the end, all that I can do is to ask these questions. The story of Yahaya Bello’s return should go beyond the crowd cheers and answer the question: are these all genuine or just another stage for political games and self-serving alliances? Time, as always, will reveal the truth.
His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, are you sure that these individuals actually dey for you? But who am I to even ask such?
May Kogi State succeed beyond bounds.
