Deputy governor of Kogi State, Simon Achuba, has escalated his attack on Governor Yahaya Bello, accusing him of delivering below par dividends of democracy, promoting violence and being a dictator.
Achuba, who called himself a victim of the governor, spoke on Channels TV Monday and asked security agencies to tighten security in the state.
He recalled how he met with several governors in a bid to resolve the crisis with his boss. However, he alleged that Bello’s Chief of Staff, Edward Onoja want to be deputy governor because he needs immunity badly.
“I have been talking to some governors, it means I want peace to reign but he has with him his chief of staff who wants an immunity, who want to take over my office and become deputy governor. That is just the battle, nothing else. And of course, everybody in Kogi state knows that the chief of staff wields more power even more that the governor himself. He has his own convoy, so long even with military men,” he said.
According to the deputy governor, Bello does not condone criticism, pointing this out as the governor’s negative trait that portrays him as a bad leader.
“When you assess the government of Yahaya Bello, from day one it has been fighting, fighting and fighting. Anyone that has a different opinion from him becomes an enemy. Anyone that says anything that he is not pleased with, he goes ahead to attack the person.
“In governance, you must give room for criticism whether good or bad. A good leader learns from criticism. Those who criticise you might not necessarily be your enemy.
“As a deputy governor, I have tried my best internally to ensure that the right things are done. For that sake, I am hated and denied my right.
“This was why in my last press interview I cried out to the world and to the law enforcement agents to focus on Kogi State because of the level of violence being perpetrated by the sitting governor of Kogi State,” Achuba said.
