There seems to apprehension and major crisis in the camp of Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello over the nomination of former House of Representatives member, Honourable Samuel Aro as the deputy Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
Mutual suspicion among members of the cabinet of the governor especially those from Kogi West senatorial district is said to be responsible for the major crisis and tension among the governors appointees.
We have it on a good authority that some of the appointees of Governor Bello from kogi west are still very loyal to Sam Aro whom some of them coordinated his senatorial campaign in 2015 and has kept close contact with him even after he left them to join the people’s Democratic Party.
Some of the Governor’s men especially those who joined recently were also said to be unhappy with the government after they were “deceived” to abandon their Party to support the government of Mr Yahaya Bello but the governor has refused to fulfill his promises to them. Engr. Kayode Adegbayo and Mr Segun Abereoran were said to have been lamenting and languishing in regret after the governor gave the later an appointment without salary and official vehicle he was promised.
Mr Abereoran, a former personal assistant to Senator Dino Melaye was poached from his former boss with a promise of better welfare which turned out to be a hoax. Mr Abereoran was said to have regretted his decision. The nomination or Mr Sam Aro is said to have provided a lifeline for him.
Again, some of the appointees who secretly worked for the emergence of the former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Jibril Usman are said to still be in close contact with him and they are still taking directives from him on whom to support for general election. A development that is also given Governor Yahaya Bello and his Chief of Staff Mr Edward Onoja a sleepless night.
The leadership crisis between Hon Jethro Funsho Oni (chop chop) and the Speaker of Kogi State house of assembly Honourable Kolawole Mathew is also taken a new dimension as the speaker is said to be unhappy Because the chief of staff to the Governor Mr Edward Onoja has empowered the former to take over the leadership of Kabba/Bunu local government area from the speaker.
The obviously angry speaker is said to have spoken to some of his confidants that he has lost confidence in the government but confused on what to do which makes him open to discussion with the opposition party in the terms are tempting enough for him.
The governor is also said to be very worried as leadership of the All Progressive Congress are unable to convince those who contested with the governor to close rank with him and work for his success at the poll despite meetings held by the party hierarchy with some of the aspirants.
Also, the disposition of the Baiwa Group is said to be another source of concern in Yahaya Bello’s camp ditto the neglect of the Hon Biodun Faleke’s camp.
Although Faleke had maintained that he remains a committed member of the APC, his followers are said to have vowed that they will never support the governor in the forthcoming election.
The governor is also said to be having headaches over the “behaviours” of the members of the Haddy Ametuo Exco. The governor, who was said to have made financial promises to the members of the Exco was to be “dodging” the responsibility. Sources said the Haddy Ametuo exco members will give a “shock” to the governor at the election.
– Olukayode Ajakaiye writes from Lokoja
