The Coordinator, PDP National Youth Frontier, Comrade Austin Okai, has counseled Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state to stop wasting tax-payers’ money on unproductive image laundering.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Okai said even if Governor Bello wakes the late Argentina football legend, Diego Maradona and invite him for a novelty match his bad reputation remain gued to his personality.
The social critic warned Nigeria’s football legends, Austin Jay Jay Okocha and Kanu Nwankwo that their hard earned image would be rubbished if they continue to identify themselves with the Kogi state governor.
He alleged that millions of naira meant for civil servants’ salaries are being spent recklessly in a desperate attempt for Governor Yahaya Bello to get his bad image laundered for his presidential bid.
Okai asked the ex-football stars to set up a relief fund for Kogi workers instead of coming to collect the meagre resources meant for workers’ salaries and pensioners entitlements.
“For a state like Kogi that is on life support with the dearth of social and infrastructural development, it will be pathetic for ex-footballers with series of business interests, both nationally and internationally, to take Kogi Governor serious. This is a deliberate onslaught against the good people of Kogi state as the ex-stars are well informed about the ugly development and dearth of leadership in Kogi State, yet they have decided to come and contribute to the rot in the state.
“It is unfortunate that with their calibre and exposure, they can stoop so low to an overzealous leader’s request to a non priority areas like a novelty match.
“This strategy will not work for Bello. His reputation is damaged beyond image laundering and repairs. Poverty is now walking round naked in the state, as civil servants are permanently in a hopeless situation amid decayed critical infrastructure in Kogi State.
“Kogi State is on backward movement, and one wonder how Yahaya Bello feels by dragging the state backward with his clueless attitude with no signs that he is ready to improve on his behaviour.
“I challenge him to wake up and complete some of Capt Idris Wada’s projects that he left abandoned. Projects like remodelling of Kogi Hotels in Lokoja, Kogi House in Abuja which was at 80% completion stage before the former Kogi Governor left office,” he said.
Okai berated Governor Bello for abandoning Lokoja township roads, from Barracks road to Néw Market.
