The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State is accusing the state governor, Yahaya Bello, of sponsoring the thugs who harassed former Governor Idris Wada at the premises of the state election petition tribunal in Abuja.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Bode Ogumola, made available newsmen in Lokoja yesterday.
He stated that: “A bizarre and worrisome scene played out at the Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Tuesday, March 22nd, when the tribunal adjourned for a break and people were leaving the premises.”
Ogumola expressed concern that some sponsored thugs could be mobilised to the venue of an election tribunal to harass innocent lives who were in the court to seek redress and justice. He called on the governor to call his supporters to order.
However, reacting to the allegations, Senior Special Adviser on Print Media to the Governor, Ademu Idakwo, said the claims were unfounded.
According to him: “They should leave the government out of their frustrations. We are not aware of any such incidence because as a government we are busy re-building the state.“Governor Yahaya Bello is a law abiding person and will never indulge in such act.”
Meanwhile, the state government has denied reports that it has secured N50.8 billion bailout funds from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Governor Yahaya Bello, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Kingsley Fanwo, in a statement yesterday, said his administration is committed to transparency.
He said his administration will continue to pursue measures to reduce poverty among the people.
“Kogi State has not secured bailout funds from the Central Bank as speculated by some people. I cannot continue to lament on the rot of the past. I was elected to bring hope to the people and not to dwell on the maladministration of past governments in the state.”
He assured the people that as soon as he gets the funds, he would disclose this to the general public as part of his administration’s open door policy.
