The trend of activities in democracy in Kogi State is becoming unbecoming. A situation where either the PDP or APC leaders can no longer travel home is a show of shame which calls for greater attention. Because the worse thing that can happen to a man in his hometown is when his absence is felt in his presence as a bonafide son of the soil.
It is against this background a Civic Society Organization of Nigeria is taking the bulls by the horn to defend and protect the people of Kogi State from this ridiculous situation under the watchful eyes of All. Yahaya Bello, the Governor of Kogi State.
In a petition submitted to the Senate President Bukola Saraki, signed by Elder Friday Sani Makama, the indefatigable Director General (DG) of Project SAVE KOGI, he enunciated clearly that; “elected representatives of the grassroots people of the National Assembly especially our Senators are being attacked on a daily basis without any responsible action of the government”.
It could be recalled Senator Dino Melaye was attacked by armed men identified as SARS on the 2nd of March, 2018 at the State High Court Maitama, Abuja. It was a clear case of attempted murder as Senator Dino Melaye was held captive inside the Court by Police armed to the teeth to shoot at merely sighting him. This continued up to the night of that day, after granted bail from a frivolous allegation of giving false information over a clear case if attempted murder. A practice that is against the law and must be totally condemned in totality.
The group, Project SAVE KOGI alleged the ugly scenario meted out to Dino Melaye, Senator of the Federal Republic at the State High Court is preposterous.
It “clearly explains the conspiracy of the Attorney General of the Federation -MrMalami and Yahaya Bello Governor of Kogi State -the resolve to ensure Senator Dino Melaye is killed or Murdered”
The group also cited another ugly attack launched at a member of the Senate representing Central Senatorial District, Senator Ogembe Ahmed in an efforts to reach out to the dying people of his constituency in kogi State. Senator Ahmed narrowly escaped death in the course of an empowerment programme organized at Okene the home town of Governor Yaya Bello which forms a major part of the Senator’s Constituency.
The aim of the programme is not to show off but to cushion the effect of high rate of poverty and diseases bedeviling the people in the land. No doubt Senator Ogembe was billed to distribute items to more than 1,000 women drawn from the district’s five local government councils. Before hoodlums disrupted the activities and put stakeholders of the land in disarray. Exactly what does not correspond to a society that values democracy, rule of law, fair play and justice.
The group, Project SAVE KOGI finally prayed that the Senate do invite the Attorney General of the Federation to explain his special and vested interest in Kogi State. To put the record straight on why the activities of SARS should not be suspended in kogi State for allowing itself to be used for political reason Project SAVE KOGI urged the Senate to invite Inspector General of Police for interrogation. In the same vain, the Commissioner of Police officer in Kogi State along side with the administrator of Okene and Okehi who both acts as Chairman of these Local Government respectively needs to be invited to put it plainly to the masses their role in the attack of Senator Ogembe Ahmed which is a sacrilege. Nonetheless, the Senate should expedite action to invite the Director of DSS to explain the report from Divisional Officer in Okene on that fateful day.
In his capacity as the DG of a formidable group, Elder Friday Sani Makama therefore requested the Senate to approve with accelerated hearing of this petition so as to give democracy in Kogi a follow up against the backdrop of politics of populism rather than popular vote trending in the state.
“Only God will protect us in this country not the Nigeria Police” said Dino Melaye
His words: “I got a rousy welcome from Kabba to my home town yesterday (Friday) and I know it angered the powers that be in the state which mobilised for this assassination attempt on my life.
“At about midnight we started hearing gunshot. They fired more than 200 rounds of bullet into the house. This attempt to kill me will not stop me from speaking the truth.
“If I speak the truth I will die, if I lie I will die. Me, I’ve decided to speak the truth and die. I’m not afraid of death. I only respect men I don’t fear them.
“This attempt is being championed by the chairman of my local government. He had said it many times that he will do everything to stop me from coming home. Beside, those assailants when leaving were chanting ‘We will know if it’s Taofiq that owns the land or you.
“I am championing an administrative course. I will continue to speak and be voice to the voiceless. I’m not deterred, I remain resolute to make Kogi better. Noting will stop me from coming home.”
Dino Melaye (APC Kogi West), narrowly escaped death again on Monday in Lokoja, but two persons were killed, when about 20 gunmen opened fire on him.
Dino was rounding off his speech at a mini rally in front of the Kogi State Polytechnic, when the guns and cutlasses wielding hoodlums emerged from nowhere.
Vehicular traffic on Lokoja -Abuja highway was disrupted for almost one hour as motorists abandoned their vehicles to escape being caught in a cross fire.
Traders at Lokoja main market also hurriedly abandoned their wares to take cover in nearby bush and houses.
A student of the polytechnic, simply identified as Saka Seidu, and one other person, were killed while two of the DSS officials attached to Melaye received gunshot injuries.
The Rector of the polytechnic, Mr Mohammed Yisah, confirmed the death of one of his students.
The senator’s black Prado Jeep was shattered with bullets and was towed to the state police command headquarters.
Police also recovered a pump action gun used in the attack.
A Sienna car loaded with arms and ammunition believed to be one of the vehicles brought by the attackers was burnt completely when a shot from security agents hit it.
A cameraman from NTA also had a raw deal in the hands of the attackers, who seized his camera. The camera had not been retrieved as at the time of this report.
Sen. Melaye had on April 15, escaped death by whiskers, when his house at Ayetoro Gbede was attacked by gunmen let alone to talk about the attempted attempt to murder the DG of Project SAVE KOGI while serving as a Lawmaker representing Igalamela /Odolu Constituency at the Hallow Chamber of the Kogi State House of Assembly.
Commenting on the invasion of the Kogi State House of Assembly complex by government sponsored hoodlums to quash Elder Friday Sani Makama from resuming plenary, opposition youth leader in the state, Austin Usman Okai, described the action of the governor and the police commissioner as a plot to truncate democracy in the state and institutionalize autocracy “wherein the legislature is suspended from carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.”
– Inah Stephen Eyiene
Lokoja
