By Sani Adeiza

In this clime and at a time when political support, participation and endorsements are highly transactional and commercial in nature, enters a man of tremendous goodwill, impeccable character, profound intellect, proven track records of public service and a people’s man in the person of Alhaji Murtala Ajaka.

Like a political colossus and a new sheriff on Kogi State’s political firmament, Muri, as popularly called by his teeming admirers and supporters, is readily and steadily altering all political arrangements and calculations, which have so far not favoured the masses since the return to constitutional democracy in 1999. He sees politics as a veritable tool for social re-engineering and development and not as a means for primitive accumulation of wealth.

Muri is introducing into Kogi’s political lexicon and body polity an arrangement that puts power in the hands of the masses and accords priority attention to the progress and welfare of the citizens. Muri Ajaka, having interacted, learnt and associated with seasoned politicians and technocrats at the national stage, is championing and enthroning a pristine political culture that emphasizes the need to deliver the dividends of democracy to citizens regardless of their political leanings, religious beliefs or ideological persuasions.

His modus operandi, in terms of political participation and engagement, is a complete departure from what used to be the norm. Muri, given his deep political quotient and a good understanding of Nigeria’s political culture-cum-configuration, is eminently qualified to offer sound counsel on how best to address the challenges of poverty, deprivation, hunger, unemployment and other social disequilibrium confronting the masses, especially those on the lower rung of the ladder. Like he often says, it is far better to address what is termed a general problem than choosing to address individual issues. This chiefly explains the rationale behind his huge investments in infrastructure, as opposed to giving money to individuals to fund their vanities. Muri’s infrastructure imprints dot all nooks and crannies of his immediate constituency.

There is what the masses call “The Muri electricity”, “The Muri road” and “The Muri borehole”. These are basic infrastructure solely funded and delivered to communities by Muri years ago. Where others seek to hand out peanuts to self-acclaimed political leaders to curry favour or support, Muri prefers to fund community projects that would serve everyone. Muri is the unseen face, unheard voice and unsung philanthropist who has been using his God-given wealth to fix communities, towns and villages which were hitherto cut off from basic infrastructure that make life livable for people. Unlike others, his philanthropic deeds date back to his days of little beginnings. This is one area where he towers higher than other aspirants seeking to govern Kogi state in the November 2023 election. He is easily the most accessible personality among his contemporaries because he dines and wines with everyone, irrespective of class difference.

Muri has since become a household name long before he threw his hat into the political ring.

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His good and selfless deeds have gone ahead of him to create a place of rest and fulfilment in the minds of his people. The Ajaka-born politician is behind numerous educational grants to hundreds of Kogites who are desirous of furthering their education. Good deeds are like the seeds that we plant that later grow into a tree which provides shelter for everyone, including strangers. Let us be good and do good even when it is not convenient for us.

Ajaka had over the years wormed himself into the hearts of the people through his humble disposition and silent philanthropy. He values and appreciates people, hence his resolve to always travel several kilometers on dilapidated roads just to meet with those in the hinterland or hard-to-reach areas within Kogi State. There is no gainsaying the fact that Muri is unapologetically a loyal, faithful and committed party stalwart who respects party leaders, hierarchies, structures and members, and who also commits his resources to the development and sustenance of the party. Muri believes strongly in obeying constituted authorities.

He is the only Kogi indigene currently serving in the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, yet he doesn’t lord himself over others, especially those in the state chapter of the APC. He sees everyone within the Kogi APC fold as partners in progress, who are working towards linking the state to the centre. Kogi APC couldn’t have delivered the state to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu if party chieftains in the state were not united. All party chieftains, including Muri all queued up behind Governor Yahaya Bello to ensure victory for Asiwaju. Muri gave his all in months preceding the just concluded national and states elections. Muri, in projecting the candidacy of Asiwaju, and other APC candidates in the last polls, toured towns, villages and communities where he spoke of the many opportunities that an Asiwaju presidency holds for the state.

As a loyal party man, cultured Igala son and democrat, he hardly drives through Lokoja to his country home in Ajaka without stopping by to pay homage to the youthful and useful governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, in Lugard House. Little wonder he enjoys a healthy and fruitful relationship with his boss. Governor Bello has in Muri, a trusted ally, loyal supporter and a dependable co-traveller. Where other politicians deliberately push themselves forward as party leaders in the state, Muri never fails to align himself with the structure and platform of Governor Bello in all his engagements.

The Muri political project is a project conceived, nurtured and powered by his teeming supporters and admirers who cut across age groups, class and demography. Muri’s journey to the Lugard House is an idea whose time has come.

•Adeiza is a freelance

journalist based in Lokoja, Kogi State