By Adukwu Aruwa
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris has said that he would retire quietly into his private business after his tenure may have ended in 2012.
“I am stepping aside as an elder, who should play an advisory role. From the word go, I told my people that I am no longer interested in anything called politics,” he declared.
Governor Idris who said this in a chat with journalists in Government House, Lokoja, maintained that he needed to give the younger generation opportunity to contribute their quota to democracy.
Said he: “It makes no sense struggling to remain in power after serving eight consecutive years as a state governor.”
Alhaji Idris who said he is not interested in going to the Senate, pointed out that it makes no sense being a governor of three senatorial districts and later struggle to win a senatorial seat after the expiration of the governorship tenure.
He maintained, “Does that mean I am the most knowledgeable or the most experienced person from my state?.”
He further stressed, “Let me also add that I will never be a godfather. If you want to see me, I will be at Ibro Hotel, Ibro construction or Ibro Farms.”
Governor Idris also gave insight into somebody he would like to hand over to, saying, “I pray that God will bring somebody who will be better than me.”
“I hope to finish all the projects I initiated as well as ensure that I owe no kobo. This, I have practised over the years,” he pointed out.
On the staff audit concluded last year, the governor expressed happiness that the exercise was a success inspite of human mistakes or errors, stressing that it had considerably reduced the wage bill.
He reiterated that those that were mistakenly affected by the exercise will have their cases reviewed, saying, “I am not out to punish anybody or want anyone sacked.”
He added, “I know what it means when you sack an individual automatically, you are depriving six or seven dependants food…”