Exclusive: How Bello for presidency endorsement meeting turned bloody in Kogi

Tuesday 19th October, 2021 was a sad day in Idah Local Government Council in Kogi East Senatorial district as rampaging thugs who were well armed alledgedly led by the Chairman of Idah Local Government Council, Hon. Abuh Odoma invaded an All Progressives Congress (APC) meeting which took place at the residence of the late political icon, Sani Ogu popularly called ‘Gbokeke’.

The meeting which was meant to endorse Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello’s presidential ambition was hosted by the former Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Yahaya Bello’s first tenure, Hon. Salisu Sani Ogu.

The Council Chairman, CAPITAL POST was told, lost out in the APC Local government and ward congresses of the party held few weeks ago as his own executives were not affirmed, a development that made him unleash thugs against his rival faction, Hon. Ogu who the newly elected party executives reached out to for an event that was to endorse the governor ahead of 2023.

The former Commissioner for Youth and Sports is a scion of the late politician, Sani Ogu Gbokeke who worked with Bello-led administration until he was dropped in the second tenure, but still remain an APC stalwart commanding party loyalties at Idah.

Investigation revealed that the Council Chairman moves around Idah with armed thugs usually loaded with Hilux van and golf cars with scaring presence wherever they visits.

Speaking with the ex-Commissioner, he told CAPITAL POST that, on 18th October, 2021, the newly elected Local Government All Progressives Executives called to notify him of a meeting to endorse Alhaji Yahaya Bello as their preferred presidential candidate in 2023 which he obliged.

He explained that the party executives have written to the Idah Divisional Police, seeking permission to hold a political meeting, and copies of the letter extended to other security heads, such as the Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. A copy of the letter, the Commissioner said was shown him and he agreed to host the meeting in his late father’s residence located at Ukwaja area of Idah on Tuesday, 19th of October.

While in the meeting in the noon of the day, they were suddenly hearing gun shots with gunmen advancing towards the direction of Sani Ogu’s residence which was realised by all the participants in the meeting that they were already in danger. According to him, the Local Government Chairman personally led the thugs who pounded on them and one Mr. Iliasu Yusuf Biggie was beaten to a coma.

It was at a point of his intervention that
the Council Chairman hit him on the head with other thugs descending on him, while his aged mother who was present when the compound was invaded rushed to intervene, but was pushed down.

The ex-Commissioner further told our correspondent that he became unconscious in the attack and he was rushed to Idah General Hospital for medical attention, while one of the victim, Iliasu Yusuf Biggie was bundled into the boot of the Chairman’s car and whisked away from the meeting venue.

While the ex-Commissioner regained consciousness at the hospital few hours, Iliasu who was initially feared dead after he was dumped a distance away from the meeting was rushed to the hospital by the good Samaritans when he was seen wallowing in the pool of his blood.

His condition was critical that he was on the following day referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja where he is currently receiving medical attention. As at the time of filing this report, the medical report showed that he has been hit with a partial stroke.

Speaking with the Council Chairman on Saturday to react to the allegations, he told CAPITAL POST, saying: “As the executive Chairman, I am saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property.”

“You know whatever you do, people must complain. I didn’t lead thugs to attack any body. That’s all. Thank you.”, he concluded.

The Chairman was reacting after he failed to pick several calls and text message sent to him to react to allegation against him. When he eventually picked his call, he told our correspondent that he was participating in a meeting in Lokoja at the time calls and text message was sent to him.

A woman leader, who didn’t want her name in print lamented the ugly incident, describing the Council Chairman as one of the most dangerous thugs ever in Idah Local Government.

She said: “I know Abuh Odoma, very dangerous and who use bad boys to terrorise the entire Local Government. He is an APC member, Salisu Ogu is an APC member which is the same party why should he personally lead thugs to attack an APC meeting, she asked?”

Though, the ex-Commissioner said he has reported the incident to Idah Divisional Police immediately he came out of the hospital which his statement has been taken, efforts to speak with the Police Public Relations Officer of Kogi State Police Command, William Ovye Ayah failed as he has not been picking his calls.