The anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was set up during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo to investigate and fight corruption in the country but assessing the current situation involving witch-hunting former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, can anyone who assumes there is political motivation behind such moves be proclaimed as being wrong?
In another way round, since the beginning of democratic governance in Kogi state, only one tribes: the Igala has being occupying the centre stage. And claiming governorship’s position as tribal rights until, causes of nature changed the hands of time in 2015 with emergent of Gov. Bello who in deed, redefined new direction government focusing on unifying Kogi state and instituting projects across its three senatorial districts. Recalling that each preceding governments before Gov. Bello’s times, is associated with one flaws or the other, buttressing clear indication that Kogi as not had it better before his era. Notably noted, the first retrenchment cases of the civil servants was during pioneering tenure of late Gov. Audu Abubakar in 1993 under the Third Republic which was tribally coloured based on mass layoffs of both Ebira and Okun. When the Fourth Republic was knocking at the door, Okun people were deceive with promises of establishment of Kogi State University at Kabba, which turned deceptive. When Gov. Ibrahim was governor, state property like Obajana Cement Company was completely sold to Aliko Dangote sans due process.
More so, during the time of Gov. Wada, percentage payment of salary began. Hence, the problem of Kogi does not begin with Gov. Bello and as humans, task to mend the obvious lacuna totally cannot be achieved magically. Notwithstanding, Gov. Bello demonstrated leadership during his tenures. For examples, he recoined Kogi State University Anyigba to Prince Audu Abubakar University— the name adopted before expiration of Gov. Audu’s administrations in 2003 but which Gov. Ibrahim’s repealed to the former; elimination of ghost workers trend from Kogi civil service force; what about courageous position to reclaim Obajana Cement Company until final intervention by President Buhari; and most surprising is the fulfillment of late Audu’s promises by location of Kogi State University at Kabba without any internal or external influences. Thus, whatever areas he cannot gave attention while in power, his successors will do. This speak to the issues and beauty of continuity governance.
Whereas, EFCC activities in the time past, is somewhat related to how judiciary functions. The anti-graft agency’s uses petition tools as major parameter for assessment and measurement to base investigation upon. So, who petitions Kogi state’s former governor, Yahaya Bello to EFCC? This questions becomes pertinent considering the democratic essentiality to remove the veil covering facial identity of the anonymous petitioner’s or is EFCC acting independently?
It is on record that, Governor Yahaya Bello ruled Kogi state for two executive terms. And it can never be disputed by any combative listeners that he put Kogi state on the world map of physical and infrastructural development that as been unprecedented in the political history of the confluence state. Additionally, it is unarguable that the ‘Not too Young to Run law’ worked miraculously marvelously materialistically under him going by mass enthronement of Kogi youths in to public leadership’s positions, thereby setting the pace for other states in Nigeria to follow.
Recently the EFCC’S Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, has vowed to leave no stone unturned probing former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello. But public opinions sampled among the indigenous people of Kogi state, as supported voices of Kogi State Commissioner of Information, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo that, “Kogi government as no allegations against Yahaya Bello therefore requesting EFCC to exonerate him”. Thus, why is EFCC seeking to tarnish his political image and popularity at all costs? This fervent commitment by EFCC, is therefore generating suspicious at the grassroots as been politically engineered.
Furthermore, during the 23rd National Summits of the leaderships of North Central and Abuja Youth Development Association (NAYODA), held March in Abuja, the association called on President Tinubu to caution EFCC Chairman against apprehending Yahaya Bello . NAYODA leaderships said “Gov. Yahaya Bello outshined past governors of Kogi state in terms of positive polity, and has proven nationalism commitment spirit to the country. For instances, after losing at the APC’S presidential primary’s, he supported, canvassed, advocated and represented unflinching commitments towards victory of President Tinubu on 25 February 2023. Gov. Bello has demonstrated over time’s that he is a nationalistic minded gem and a loyal party man, an acclamation that no doubting Thomases in the country can deny or argue against.
Therefore, under APC’S led Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, distinguished personality like Yahaya Bello deserves carrot approach rather than stick approach. Because, he represented the party well in Kogi state. He does not deserved victimization, defamation, condemnation and molestation under unwarranted circumstances like the current much talked about. The leaderships of APC will make gross errors if at this juncture they failed to rally support for him.
From facts garnered, past related incidents in Kogi state where past governors had to face EFCC trials, are moves moved by succeeding government not satisfied with their predecessors financial management. So after Kogi government under Gov. Ododo has justified Yahaya Bello’s administrations, what justice is EFCC seeking to justify again?
Systematically one will expect EFCC to inspect infrastructural facilities developed by Gov. Bello’s administrations, to ascertain if they are realistic projects or white-elephant projects. EFCC team should have conducted visitations to the Conference University of Science and Technology, Osara campus; Kogi State University, Kabba; Roads construction projects across the three senatorial districts of the stare, Flyover bridge in Lokoja, Kogi Reference Hospital in Okene or evaluated why Gov. Bello got awarded as “Best Security Conscious Governor in Nigeria” by reputable and famous platform’s ere trying to delve in to probing him. On the latter factor alone, Federal Government is the best witnesses to how costly security management can be, taking in to account the fight against Boko Haram, banditry, and other security vices for the past a decade’s. Thus, to record those salient achievements, no one needs browsing the goggle to discern most correct responses that he spent state’s money judiciously.
So before EFCC continuing waging attacking tendency at Gov. Bello’s administrations, the anti-graft agency’s should be aware the projects undertook under his watch are enough justifications of the roaring voices of the White Lion’s visionary blueprints.
– Segun Babayomi Amupitan, current National President North Central and Abuja Youth Development Association (NAYODA).
