By Fanisi Babatunde MILR

A Danish proverbs says that “Rust consumes iron while envy consumes itself”. For all who is familiar with self styled “fifth columnist” Farooq kperogi, you will understand that beneath his false disposition of speaking truth to power is an indepth love for negativity and unhealed hate towards whatever seems not to allign with his ill-luck mindset and orientation. Kperogi have never in history spoken positive about the nation Nigeria even though it’s scriptural to do so.

For many of us who are his close watchers, nothing coming out from Farooq kperogi can be so new to grab a popcorn to concentrate on as there is an expected pattern to watch out for whenever he releases so many of his lamentational hate filled epistle. Even though a scholar, he has never displayed any attribute of same for once. All he preaches is hate, aspersions and chronic bitterness only for God knows why.

On a lighter note, I must applaud his recent brief ill-fated epistle where he itemized 3 presidential hopefuls that could emerge which can make him renounce his citizenship of Nigeria. At least, if not for anything but for the fact that he gave Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State whom he mentioned in the short note a free advertisement and endorsement.

Farooq kperogi will be fourty eight (48) year old tomorrow being 30th March which is just a two year old age difference from the age of the Kogi state born presidential hopeful in person of Governor Yahaya Bello, so it is suffice to say that they are contemporaries. Many of us consider it shameful that in the midst of clamour for a better Nigeria and demand for a much more younger candidate in the next presidential election, a kperogi who would prefer a shy away from contest for the sole purpose of watering his envious trade will call out someone considered to be his contemporary as failed.

You might not be a fan of the youthful Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello of Kogi state but we as youths must applaud his audacity, zeal and consistent quest for daring to walk on a path that seems dreadful and had hitherto been an exclusive reserve on not just some selected ideologies but also for the old in age and experience, an attribute which obviously have failed us overtime as a nation.

Hard times demands critical approach and change or tactics, this is what kperogi must realize and must swallow his ego while keeping aside his hate and hidden reservation for the aspiration of the youthful kogi state henchman. The Kogi state governor has in a little while bursted into prominence to the amazement of many who keeps wondering where such an audacity emanated from.

It is imparative for kperogi to know that Nigerian youths are not only tired but weak of queuing behind old political war horses that have been playing integral roles in the process that has failed us as a nation. We should be grateful that someone with so much audacity like the Kogi state governor has taken the bull by the horns to challenge and slug it out with these old war horses. It is not compulsory for a kperogi to support the candidacy of a Governor Yahaya bello but let him not join hands with those who are hell bent on deeping us further into the trenches by discouraging a youthful Nigerian that has chosen such bold venture.

Not making a case for the Kogi state governor but Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello as it is appears to be the only bold and courageous youth in Nigeria who have shown seriousness in his quest to govern this country and hence deserves the support of an average Nigerian youth. A vote for old war horses is a downward slide into backwardness which every Nigerian youth must resist.

Kperogi must therefore as matter of urgency quickly renounce his citizenship of Nigeria as Nigerian youths have decided not to play to the gallery by installing those old war horses whose generation has failed us as nation.

Fanisi Babatunde, A Doctoral Scholar Writes from the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.