By Bala Isiak.
The cold war between the Kogi state Governor, Alh. Yahaya Bello and his Deputy, Elder Simon Achuba is raging on unabated.
A source within Achuba’s office disclosed that the deputy governor’s travails started when he openly prayed that God should remove anyone constituting himself as impediment to the success of the state at a function in Idah early this year. This loaded prayer was reported to the governor and was seen as a supplication targeted at the chief executive officer of the state.
The innocuous prayers made by Achuba aptly represents the cries of civil servants and pensioners across the state and the import is well known in Lugard House.
The source added that Bello is embittered by claims by Achuba that his office is being starved of funds. This allegation is said to at variance with the efforts of Bello to make his deputy comfortable.
Despite official denials from the governor’s spokesperson, Kingsley Fanwo and the Special Adviser on Legislative Matters, Barr. Haruna Yusuf, the absence of Achuba at recent government functions seems to confirm that all is not well between the governor and his deputy.
Also, the power and water supply to Achuba’s office have been reportedly cut off four months ago, with many alleging that he has began moving his personal belongings out of his office.
Just last week, Hon. Tom Offor, Administrator Ibaji LGA, the Deputy Governor’s area was removed. The announcement caught the Deputy Governor napping.
The deputy governor’s travails is however not receiving sympathy from citizens of the state because many hold the belief he has been avoiding the people even when things were rosy for him. It is been alleged that he has not been approachable and tight fisted.
For now all eyes are watching to see how the alleged power play between the governor and his deputy plays out, as even traditional chiefs from the deputy governor’s constituency who were allegedly in the picture of the Deputy Governor’s travails have not been able to help him after their interventions.
