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.”