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Bello a disaster to democracy, an ethnic bigot that shouldn’t be seen in Kogi again – Ojuju Agbadufu Igala lampoons
Few hours to his handing over the baton of governance, a Kogi East based socio-political group, Ojuju Agbadufu Igala has lashed at the Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello for his countless sins against the people of Kogi State in the last eight years in office.
The group recalled how Bello was notorious for use of thuggery to carry out brutal attacks on innocent citizens leading to death of scores, while they express displeasure and deep concern in all he has done throughout his tenure of office, particularly his last minute indulgent political improprieties.
Speaking at a press conference at the National Union of Journalists, NUJ office in Abuja, the President in Council of Ojuju Agbadufu Igala Forum, Mr Christopher Ukwuenya called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to overlook tensions, animosity and division that Yahaya Bello has brought to bear on Kogi indigenes who have been united and living in peace before his ascension to office as governor of Kogi State on 27th January, 2016, adding that eight years after, the bar of nepotism, ethnic bigotry and all sorts of dysfunctional democracy have been raised.
In what looks like Bello’s dossier of bad leadership, the Ojuju Agbadufu Igala accused the outgoing governor of Kogi State of serially rigging elections that have ever been conducted during his tenure of office. Stating that he normally connived with corrupt Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC officials to manipulate figures to his advantage and forced declaration of his choice as winner against the will of electorate.
Irked by the recent dethronement of three traditional rulers and suspension, the group rejected the development and called for the restoration with immediate effect, noting that it was against cultural tradition to dethrone a monarch because you did not win election in their domain.
On the last minute appointments into political offices which was lopsided, the Forum noted that the development was a recipe for hatred, calling on the incoming government to cancel the appointments and stick to equity and fairness in future political appointments.
Christopher Ukwuenya said: “That the Forum calls on President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) to intervene in the unfortunate political upheavals that had generated high tensions leading to a dangerous precedents in Kogi state if not urgently averted.
“That Governor Yahaya Bello is not just a disaster to the nation’s constitutional democracy in his chauvinistic tendencies and ethnic bigotry but also a threats to humanity and the world at large.
“That the Forum is calling on the appropriate authorities, government agencies, Nigerians and the entire world leaderships to pay attention to the ugly political developments in Kogi state with a view to curtailing Governor Bello’s excesses in the state.
“That we reject his lopsided appointments to favour his Central Senatorial District especially, Okene where he comes from as this negates the principle of equity, equality and social justice.
“That the ill-motivated suspension, deposition and banishment of traditional rulers in some parts of the state is a philippic political vendetta that has no bearing on our constitutional democracy. Governor Yahaya Bello goofed and stand condemned. We, not only condemned the barbaric affronts against the sacred institution, but castigate, lampoon and jettison the improprieties thereto even as we call for total reversal to status quo ante.
“That the deplorable and appalling state of infrastructural decay, avoidable dilapidation and decadence across the entire state especially, Kogi east has assumed unacceptable alarming proportion that requires urgent attention.
“That the high spate of insecurity and other social vices across the state today was conceived, birthed and instigated by the state government under the watchful eyes of Governor Yahaya Bello who sponsored thugery to intimidate opponents in the last governorship election in Kogi State. The federal government should take charge to avoid further degeneration and the accompanying consequences.
“The attempted murder on Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho under the watchful eyes of Governor Yahaya Bello must not be swept under the carpet as we call on the federal government to bring the perpetrators to book.
“That we are aware of the several criminal and unlawful infractions committed by Governor Yahaya Bello while in office and call on the security operatives especially, EFCC, ICPC and others to bear their search lights on the emperor as he leaves office on 27th January, 2024.
“That the incoming government should revoke all anti people’s policies of the outgoing government and never to be seen as a rubber stamp under the apron-springs of his predecessor (erstwhile Governor Yahaya Bello)
“That the notorious outcome of the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Kogi state leaves much to be desired even as we are aware of the legal process to restore sanity in our electoral process, we should be seen as a civilize people who have been together in peace and unity over the years and must not allow ourselves to be used by Governor Yahaya Bello who have no regards for the rules of law. Both Igala, Okun and Egbira have lived together for years and shall continue to live in harmony and in pursuit of peace, good neighborliness, unity and progress.
“That Kogi state is blessed with both mineral, human and material resources including oil and coal, yet it has the highest level of poverty. OAIF frowns at this pervasive passivism of the Kogi state government in tackling the socioeconomic crisis faced by the entire state and Kogi East in particular.
“OAIF calls on the incoming government to expedite action on the need to stem the tide of the ugly cases of kidnapping, banditry, communal crisis and other life threatening criminalities in the state.
“That percentage salary in the state be stopped forthwith as Kogi has no need going through unnecessary economic crunch solely imposed on the people by Yahaya Bello’s government to impoverish them.
“That it is not difficult to predict the nature of things to come. But everything is not so hopeless yet. While bracing for the worst one must always hope for the best. And that is why we see a silver lining in the rather ominously gathering dark clouds in Kogi state.
“And that is what gives us the hope that the situation could be retrieved all things being equal.”
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it has been vindicated by recent revelations from the state’s former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.
The Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Wednesday.
The former Head of Service, who recently resigned had alleged that the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was directly responsible for the political crisis in the state and the bombing of the State House of Assembly.
In response, the Rivers State APC asserted that Nwaeke’s testimony aligns with the party’s long-held position, as frequently stated by Chief Okocha, that the suspended governor was the architect of the state’s political crisis, including masterminding the October 29, 2023, bombing of the State House of Assembly.
Chief Okocha further emphasized that Nwaeke’s account, given his high-ranking position in the state, cannot be dismissed as mere speculation.
He said attempts to discredit the former Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the alleged corruption and misconduct that the APC has repeatedly highlighted.
“What is most interesting to the APC in Rivers State as a responsible political party is that Dr. George Nwaeke’s revelations and testimonies of how suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his squad bombed the Rivers State House of Assembly is an eye witness account.
“Again , it has clearly vindicated the APC in Rivers State as the only visible and viable opposition political party in the State, and has cemented the love for the party in the heart of well meaning Rivers people as the voice of the voiceless, and the hope for a better Rivers State.
“The revelations made by the former Head of Service in Rivers State has further positioned her as a political party with high level of integrity, and the hope of Rivers people for a viable alternative to produce the Governor of Rivers State in 2027.
“The verbal attacks staged against the resigned Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the corruption within Sim Fubara’s administration, which we have consistently highlighted as the opposition party. On this matter, the APC shall function as watchdogs”, the party stated.
Chief Tony Okocha expressed confidence that security agencies would thoroughly investigate the matter.
“The APC in Rivers State strongly believes that the relevant security agencies will be professional enough to get to the root of the matter and make their findings public”, he said.
A coalition of civil rights organizations, the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the allegations leveled against suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by Dr. George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service of the state.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, Director General of the CCLCA, urged the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take swift action in probing the allegations. He emphasized that if proven true, these claims pose serious risks to governance and democracy.
The coalition, comprising 30 civil society organizations, stands in solidarity with Dr. Nwaeke, who has expressed willingness to provide evidence of alleged corruption and constitutional breaches involving Governor Fubara and his Chief of Staff, Mr. Edison.
“We collectively urge the relevant authorities to act swiftly and transparently. Addressing these allegations is critical to restoring public confidence in governance at both the state and national levels,” Dr. Nwambu stated.
He commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his intervention in Rivers State, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency, a move he described as crucial for stabilizing the region.
Dr. Nwaeke’s accusations against Governor Fubara include:
Arson and Sabotage: Allegedly instructing his Chief of Staff to burn down the Rivers State House of Assembly to prevent impeachment proceedings, a violation of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.
Corruption and Financial Misconduct: Claims of large sums of money being used for personal and illegal activities, contravening Section 15(5) of the Constitution.
Threats to Public Safety: Alleged plans to sabotage state infrastructure, potentially inciting public disorder, which falls under Section 1 of the Terrorism Prevention Act (2011).
Collusion with Militant Groups: Alleged meetings between the governor, his Chief of Staff, and militant leaders, posing a threat to national security and violating Section 43 of the Constitution.
Suppression of Labour Rights: Alleged attempts to bribe labour leaders to silence dissent, contravening Section 40 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly.
The coalition has urged law enforcement agencies to ensure a thorough, transparent, and expedited investigation into these allegations.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has appointed Sam Ifeanyi Hart, Esq. as his new Chief of Staff (CoS).
Hart replaces Hon. Toby Okechukwu who was recently appointed Executive Director, Projects of the newly established South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Prior to his appointment, Hart served as Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker on Public Affairs and has an extensive background in training and consultancy.
Hart also previously served as Director-General, Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency from 2019 to 2023 after occupying other appointive positions.
He was also a member of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru where he attended the Senior Executive Course 45, serving as Course Secretary-General.
He has also served on the Boards of several corporate and non-governmental entities.
Hart brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role, with a distinguished career spanning law, leadership, and public service.
A lifelong learner, he holds multiple academic qualifications, including a Master’s Degree in Environmental Law (LLM) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from Abia State University.
The new Chief of Staff is also currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Law.
A seasoned professional, Hart has attended prestigious institutions, including the GOTNI Leadership Centre, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), and the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG).
He is also a member of several professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria (M.IoD), Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (ACIArb), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
As Chief of Staff, Hart will provide strategic guidance and support to the Deputy Speaker legislative activities, leveraging his expertise to drive policy initiatives and promote good governance.
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