News
2023: Bello planning repeat of 2019 violence, PDP alleges, writes Peace Committee
Ahead of 2023 general election which campaigns have been commenced by various political parties in Nigeria, Kogi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress Congress (APC) in the State was planning to unleash violence on the opposition.
The allegation was contained in a letter addressed to the National Peace Committee, headed by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd) as chairman and Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, as Secretary.
The letter which was signed by the State Chairman of the party, Engr Samuel Uhuotu indicated that as the electioneering activities are now gathering momentum nationwide, they want to draw the attention of the National Peace Committee to the activities of the Government of Kogi State led by the Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello in recent times which has become more vicious.
According to Uhuotu, “The Governor of Kogi State, his political appointees and loyalists have been brandishing the use of force and violence against political opponents in the State at different times and fora.
“Particularly, the Governor had on the 4th of September, 2022 at a gathering at Government Technical College Oboroke, Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State threatened to lead team of thugs with firepower to kill and maim those who oppose him and his party in the forthcoming election, particularly the National Assembly election.
‘It is no longer news that the Governor owing to his unprecedented poor leadership style has become unpopular among the people hence his resort to threat of use of force and violence against the same people he took oath to serve and protect.
“The Governor at the event invented a pseudo name for gun which he called “ira chenyi” to replace “Ta-Ta-Ta” of 2019 which literarily mean “firepower” or “vicious fire” in Ebira Language, a development that attracted wide condemnation from the good people of Ebiraland, Kogi State and nationwide when the horrifying incidence went viral on print and social media.
“The Governor then quickly issued a statement to say that he was quoted out of context and that he was rather refereeing to criminals in Kogi State.
“In an attempt to intimidate and scuttle the will of the people of Kogi State in the upcoming elections particularly the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District who have become wary of his poor leadership style, the Governor has been moving from one place to another in Kogi State with his appointees and rented crowd brandishing the threat of “ira chenyi” on those who will dare stand against his party candidates in the election.
“He has been doing all of these under the guise of threatening criminals in the state.
“It is worthy of note that as part of the plan of the Governor to cause breach of peace in Okene, he has through the Chairman of Okene Local Government Area by a letter dated the 26th day of October, 2022 given the Peoples Democratic Party a week ultimatum to vacate its campaign office in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State for the flimsiest excuse that the PDP Party Secretariat pose a security threat to some infrastructure in Okene to wit: the Council Secretariat and the Okene Central Mosque.
“These reasons are mere machinations and attempt to destabilise the political activities of the PDP in the area.”
Uhuoto alleged the Governor and his political appointees is planning to surreptitiously plant incriminating materials at the premises of the PDP Party Secretariats as well as that of the premises of its members in Kogi Central Senatorial District all to portray the party and its members in bad light and put them on the wrong side of the law.
“The series of events leading to this complaint is rather unfortunate to say the least particularly that the same Governor who took oath of allegiance to the people and the law is now the one championing and sowing seeds of discord in the land.
“We accordingly call on you sir as a highly respected and senior citizen and leader of Nigeria who have sacrificed his personal and family comfort for the peace and development of Nigeria to as always take urgent steps to forestall the grave consequences of the acts of the Governor of Kogi State.
“With greatest sense of urgency, we crave the intervention of the
Peace Committee on this issue giving the antecedents of Gov. Yahaya Bello in Kogi State and Okene in particular.
“We have attached to this letter for your kind perusal sir the several videos of the Governor in different places and times in Kogi State threatening the use of force and violence against his political opponents in the State.
“We have also attached a copy of the letter of ultimatum issued by the Chairman of Okene Local Government Council to the PDP to vacate its Party Secretariat in Okene, Kogi State.
Your Excellency Sir, kindly accept the assurances of our esteem regards.”
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, over the passing of his mother, Hajiya Safarau Umar Baribari.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Dr. Ganduje described Hajiya Safarau’s death as a profound loss that has left a deep void in the hearts of her family, friends, and the people of Katsina State.
Extending his sympathies, the APC National Chairman condoled with Governor Radda, the bereaved family, and the entire people of Katsina State during this difficult time.
He acknowledged the remarkable contributions of the late Hajiya Safarau and prayed for Almighty Allah (SWT) to grant her eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus while strengthening the family to bear this irreplaceable loss.
Dr. Ganduje urged Governor Radda and others affected to find comfort in the cherished memories and enduring legacy of the deceased.
Reaffirming the APC’s support, the former Kano State governor assured the people of Katsina State of the party’s solidarity in their time of grief and prayed that Allah (SWT) grant the departed soul Al-Jannah Firdaus. Ameen.
The wife of Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), Hajia Aishat has offered cash and food items worth millions of naira to widows and vulnerable women across Dekina local government Councils, promises to take similar gesture across the nine local government in Kogi East.
The exercise which was tagged: “Widows Empowerment”, saw the Senator’s wife distributing cash and food items to cushion the effect of Ramadan.
Items distributed are bags of rice bags of salt, cartons of seasoning, maggi etc, which were evenly distributed to widows and vulnerable women across party lines.
A beneficiary who spoke with our correspondent at Odu in Dekina Local Government Council, Hon Fitumi thanked Hajia for her continuous effort in coming through for widows and vulnerable regularly.
She acknowledged similar gesture by Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), a fortnight ago at Ankpa when youths in their numbers from three Local Government Areas were trained in Agriculture and empowered, stressing that people are now living testimony to the effort of the lawmaker.
“”We are aware of several intervention projects, empowerment and developmental projects of Senator Echocho and we are not surprised seeing Hajia toeing the similar path.
“The distribution of food items and cash today is not only a rekindling of hope to the beneficiaries, but an encouragement that despite their condition, they were not forgotten.
Hajia Labran, and other APC Women leaders who spoke on behalf of women, applauded Hajia Aisha Echocho and pray Allah to strengthen her to carry on, urged others to emulate her sustainable initiatives.
The women advised other political office holders to emulate what is good and just, which they believed would strengthen the party.
As part of the activities to celebrate the golden anniversary of the University of Calabar, the wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio was on Saturday, March 22, 2025 conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in Education Management.
The ceremony held at the main campus of the institution in Calabar, Cross River State also saw the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike awarded the honorary doctorate degree in Law.
Other awardees included Major General Moses Bisong Obi (rtd) (Doctor of Peace and Conflict Studies) and Supreme Court Justice, Emmanuel Akomaye Obi (Doctor of Law).
In her acceptance speech after the conferment by the 15th Emir of Kano and Chancellor of the University, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Akpabio thanked the Governing Council and Management of the University for finding her worthy of the honour.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media/communication to the President of the Senate, Anietie Ekong quoted Mrs Akpabio as saying “I am happy to be honoured with this award from the prestigious University of Calabar that I have heard so much about from my dear husband, an alumnus of this great institution.
“I was wondering when I will join him as a great Malabress and that day has come and I am grateful to the University for this honour,” she said.
Mrs Akpabio promised to work with other awardees especially the Minister of the FCT to provide infrastructural assistance to the university.
In a citation the University extolled Mrs Akpabio for her philanthropic and humanitarian efforts towards uplifting the lives of women and the vulnerable of the society through her non governmental organisation, the Family Life Enhancement Initiative.
She was also recognized as a Champion of women’s rights and as one who used her position as the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State to fight for the inclusion of more women in governance.
On his part, Chief Wike said he was honoured to be among the recipients of award. He extolled the Visitor of the University, President Bola Tinubu for working tirelessly to promote tertiary education in the country.
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