…Says legal actions will be taken against propagandists.
Kogi State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Rabitu Okwute, has strongly denied allegations linking her to a group of unidentified youths who were seen in a viral video allegedly shutting down an opposition party office in Dekina Local Government Area.
In a strongly worded statement personally signed by Rabietu Okwute, the commissioner denied the allegation or knowledge of the actions and those who carried out the said actions.
She said in the statement that the video, which surfaced online on Wednesday, showed some young men claiming to act on behalf of the government, threatening to unleash violence on anyone who provides office space to an opposition political party. Following the video, Mrs. Okwute was named by some sources as the alleged sponsor of the group—an allegation she has now described as “false, wicked, and baseless.”
“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the actions of those individuals in that video,” Okwute stated in an official rebuttal. “Let it be known clearly: I do not know them. I did not send or support them, and their actions do not reflect the values of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which I am proud to belong to.”
She further described the attempt to drag her into the controversy as a calculated effort to tarnish her reputation, especially at a time she is still mourning the recent death of her husband.
“I am still mourning my husband who died in August. I have barely been seen in public, much less involved in any political activity,” she lamented. “Why should I not be allowed to mourn in peace? It is unfortunate that enemies of progress and those who cannot stand my divine rise in politics are resorting to cheap blackmail.”
Describing herself as “a mother, a wife, and a responsible woman,” Okwute recounted her career as a civil servant in Dekina where she rose to the position of Treasurer before her retirement. “My appointment as commissioner was not accidental,” she said. “It was the result of over three decades of hard work, integrity, and selfless service to my community and state.”
She added that the actions portrayed in the video run contrary to everything she represents both as a public servant and as a human being. “As a peaceful mother and a loving leader, I distance myself completely from this act. It runs against everything I stand for,” she noted.
Okwute also dissociated Governor Usman Ododo from the incident, describing the governor as “a known gentle, calm, and peace-loving leader who has never supported violence in any form.”
She questioned why some individuals were uncomfortable with her political rise. “Why are some people so threatened by my existence? Is it a crime to be a woman of substance who rose through the ranks?”
As Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Okwute stressed that her core mandate is to protect the vulnerable and not to incite violence that could create more hardship. “I live true to the philosophy of my office, which is to care for the poor and the vulnerable. I cannot in good conscience sponsor or condone anything that leads to displacement or suffering.”
She maintained that her ministry has always focused on empowerment programs, skills training, food support, and community development, all aimed at reducing poverty and human suffering in Kogi State.
“My responsibility is to reduce vulnerability, not to increase it,” she emphasized. “That is why I remain committed to the ethics of my office and will continue to serve with compassion and accountability.”
Mrs. Okwute called on the general public, particularly the people of Dekina, to disregard the allegations and described them as “media propaganda aimed at tarnishing my and avoid being used as political tools. “I call on all youths, especially in Dekina, to remain peaceful and law-abiding. Those behind this shameful video must desist immediately.”
She further urged security agencies to investigate the incident and arrest any individual or group found inciting violence. “I call on the police and other security agencies to be vigilant. Anyone found disrupting public peace should face the full wrath of the law.”
The Commissioner warned that she would take legal action against any person or platform that links her to political violence without verifiable proof. “I will not hesitate to pursue justice through the courts. No one should link me to thuggery without facts. I have built a name through service and sacrifice.”
Assuring APC members and the people of Dekina of her continued loyalty and service, Okwute said, “I remain a woman of virtue and a rallying point for unity, not division. My focus is on peace, progress, and people-centered leadership.”
Rabietu reaffirmed her commitment to upholding national and cultural values. “I will continue to abide by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, my oath of office, and the noble values the Igala people are known for—honour, dignity, and truth.”
