REPORTS from Abuja at the weekend indicate that Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator Smart Adeyemi,  normalised his relationship with the governor of his home state of Kogi, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, shortly after the conclusion of the party primaries.

According to reports, Governor Idris and Senator Adeyemi met in Abuja at the instance of the governor’s son, Mohammed, and resolved to work together for the uplift of the state. Mohammed, who was said to have been worried at the escalating political differences between his father and the vocal senator, was said to have sought the permission of the governor to broker the peace deal. The meeting, held in Abuja, saw the two sides stating the need to jointly work together to develop the state.

Senator Adeyemi was said to have told the governor that his views were largely misrepresented in the state by some political appointees who felt they could benefit from his rift with the governor. He was said to have insisted that he never castigated the person of the governor, whom he said was a humble man and a respected politician.

The governor was also said to have commended the senator for his outspokenness on issues affecting Kogi State in the Senate and the country as a whole.The duo were said to have since resumed their once chubby relationship, a source said. Senator Adeyemi confirmed the meeting in a telephone chat, saying that the governor had contributed his quota to the development of Kogi State within the available resources. He commended the governor for ongoing rehabilitation of roads in the state, which he said are spread evenly among the senatorial districts. “I also commend the governor for playing a fatherly role in the recently concluded primaries in Kogi West. He refused to interfere even when some people wanted him to do so. He is a respectful and humble father in the state,” the senator said.

While the quarrel lasted, Adeyemi appeared the governor’s main critic and challenger, even though he did not indicate interest in contesting the governorship election. On many occasions, Senator Adeyemi openly opposed the screening of candidates  apparently supported by the governor on the floor on account of the allegation that the nomination breached the provisions of Federal character Principle. He opposed the confirmation of Mr. Humprey Abbah as Minister and indeed stalled the confirmation for three months on the basis of his allegation that the nomination amounted to marginalization of the People of Kogi West Senatorial District, which he represents. From the start of the current Senate, Adeyemi did not hide the fact that he was out there to defend, first the interests of his immediate constituency, that of Kogi State and then Nigeria as a whole. Though a first timer in the Senate, Adeyemi understood the basic duty of a lawmaker and never shied away from projecting the interests of his constituency at every stage. In this era, and indeed since the restart of the current democracy, the senator/governor relationship has been a problematic point. Between 1999 and 2003, senators and ministers easily teamed together against their governors. That led to what was tagged Abuja politicians. The battle against the governors was supported at a stage by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. But the administration decided to back the governors as the primaries for the 2003 election drew near. That led to the defeat of many senators in their return bid to the National Assembly.

That notwithstanding, many lawmakers still toe the line of relentless opposition to the governors, who could deny them return tickets to the Assembly. But the Idris/Adeyemi relationship appeared with some unique features. There were no personal issues, just basic disagreements on issues affecting the constituencies. When Idris appeared down and nearly out during the rerun election ordered by the Court of Appeal, Adeyemi stood by him. In fact, the governor personally visited Adeyemi in his National Assembly office at the time. When it was being said that the governor had vowed never to allow Adeyemi return to the Senate, the senator emerged a candidate from the primaries.

The governor however refused to lead a protest against the development. It shows one thing: that Governor Idris had analysed Adeyemi’s criticisms and discovered they were not targeted at maligning him.

He apparently also understood that the senator had been a good ambassador of his state in the Senate. This shows that the duo understand when to fight and when to retreat. Unlike in some states, where quality lawmakers have been dropped on the basis of the governor’s ego, the Kogi governor has shown a better example.