By Musa Tanimu Nasidi, Lokoja.
In continuation of the 25th year anniversary of the creation of Kogi state, Kogi state Governor, Alh Yahaya Bello was scheduled to perform juma’a service at Lokoja central mosque, Lokoja.
The Governor, who was expected to arrived the central mosque earlier, was said to have arrived the mosque at about 2.20pm, when the prayer commenced.
A worshiper who does not want his name published informed us that after the completion of the two sermons, the chief imam was forced to commence the prayers. “We are aware of a plan by some clerics to delay the prayers, but the worshipers insisted that prayers must commence after the sermons were completed. The chief imam had no options than to lead the prayers”, he said.
The Governor, according to an eye witness, arrived and could not get entrance into the mosque.
“When Bello arrived we’ve already performed one out of the two raka’at. He couldn’t gain entrance as the place reserved for and members of entourage by his protocol were taking over by aggrieved worshipers inside the mosque”
Trouble begins after the Governor observed the one raka’at he missed at an open space, when aggrieved worshipers started pelting the Governor and his entourage with stones and shouting war songs.
The Governor’s security whisked him out, but majority of his aides and security attached to him were not that lucky as they were attacked by the crowd which increased beyond the security control.
A source who confirmed the incidence to us said the crowd also resisted security efforts to barricade them as they moved in multitude chanting anti-government slogans, calling the Governor unprintable names.
The police dispersed the crowd after reinforcement from the state police command by using teargas.
Today’s development according to some observers, may not be unconnected with the state government inability to pay workers salaries for over eight months.
“With what I observed today, the people are aggrieved. What are we celebrating when people are dying daily? The situation in this state is even worse than what the residents are doing. The situation is pathetic,” he said.
A source informed this reporter that this unfortunate incident was the second time in two weeks the governor would be so attacked as complaints mount about the depreciating living conditions in the state.
“He recently attended the seven day fidau prayers of late Eje of Ankpa, in Ankpa, and residents there defied heavy security to stone him,” the source said.
