Gov. Yahaya Bello's One Year In Office: A Disaster, A Year Of Pains And Backwardness - Usman Okai Austin

The civil right advocates and one of the Leading opposition figures in Kogi state Usman Okai Austin  has described the one year in office of Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello  as a disaster foretold, dismissing his administration as a One Chance Government.

In a statement signed by Usman Okai Austin, he lamented the cruelty and  fate that has befallen the State.

 He further laments that the Confluence state never had it so bad since its creation in 1991, the outspoken figure said even the former Milltary administrators of the state are rated far better than the coronated Governor 

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The opposition leader said: “Bello  case is like a ‘one chance bus’ where governance is praticised as a deceitful venture. Within one year in office, Bello has wasted and lavished over N220 Billion Naira, including monthly allocation that was allocated to the State from the federal purse  and N10Billion Naira infrastructural development fund that was applied for by the previous government that was given to him.

N20Billion Naira Bailout Fund and Parish Club Excess Refund of N15 Billion Naira, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris Ibro built Federal Government Roads and the money was refunded back to the state worth N16 Billion from the Federal Government for the Ajaokuta,Lokoja Road Rebuilt by IBRO Government. 

The 700 millions Ecological funds and December 2015  allocation left behind  by the Wada  Administration, and minimum of N600 millions internally generated revenue.

This is the highest by any Governor so far, more than what Governor Wada received in his entire four years in office.

The question is, what has Alhaji Yahaya Bello used all these resources to achieve for the State? 

It is on record that instead of improving on the legacies of his predecessors in managing the Civil Servants , he instead chose to destroy them. Over thousands of the workers and pensioners are labeled ghost workers based on the policy of Bello Administration .

Modern primary and secondary constructed by the previous  Administration have now been turned into dens of criminals and kidnappers due to the lingering strike orchestrated by non payment of teachers. 

Our health sector has gone from bad to worst within one years as the capable hands are labeled ghost Doctors and Nurses and Hospital denied of modern equipments to the extend that the patient has to go and buy syringe from chemist themselves. Kogi state Diagnostic Hospital Lokoja is more of mortuary as so many dead corpse are seeing on bed due to poor health facilities, 

“Our Agriculture sector that was revolutionised through the establishment of the Modern Agricultural Development Projects ADPs the Palm Fruits and the Rice Production Centres have either been scrapped or rendered useless by Bello  Administration.

The opposition youth leader bemoaned the high level of violence in the State in the past one year that Bello has been in power. “Today, the Confluence State under Yahaya watch is termed as Confluence of blood where kidnappers, assassins, cultism, robbers not only hold sway but are empowered through patronage.

A lecturer from Benue state was Kidnapped and his dead body found, last week, so many were abducted along Ajaokuta, Itobe Road among them is Hassan Ado the former Chairman of the PDP Dekina and Others the kidnappers collected millions from their victims, the prominent Traditional Ruler from Ajaokuta spent his new year eve with kidnappers as the victims are left alone with their fate, the state government can't beat her chest and tell us any effort put in place to secure the state as there is an exodus of Kidnappers into Kogi state because Bello has made kogi state the safe haven for the kidnappers and the armed robbers, 

Everyday people are Being kidnapped as the government seems careless or clueless,Okai said 

Based on the above sad and pathetic scenario, is now obvious that the Confluence State has nothing to celebrate, “especially having ensured that one year in office the state civil servants are treated like slave  due to his obnoxious policy as Kogi State is no longer safe even for the passerbye, 

Alhaji Yahaya Bello performance in several other aspects of the lives of Kogi  people has also been woeful. Till today, Alhaji Yahaya Bello administration has no concrete policies on Agriculture, Education, Industrial Development, Manufacturing, Tourism, Employment Generation, State Security, etc. This man is a total disaster.

The only visible achievement by Bello  and his gang of confused minds is repackaging and commissioning of Class rooms built by the management of the School Health Technology,Idah and repainting of street light pools in a Lokoja Town put in place by the Wada Administration and the heavy taxation and levies being imposed on Trailers passing by as well as the reintroduction of school WAEC /NECO fees earlier cancelled by Alhaji Ibrahim Ibro Administration. 

We the good  people of Kogi should ask ourselves, what have we gotten ourselves into?

Where and when did Kogi  State fall off the track and fall into Bello's one chance bus? 

“Who did this kind of thing to us?” As we sympathize with the people of Kogi  State over the misfortune of having a one chance government rule over them.

 It appealed to Bello  “in the interest of our people and the future of our children, not to be ashamed and to humbly ask his predecessors to teach him how to manage civil servants and possibly learn from their own mistake on where they failed and what is their mistakes 

 Alhaji Yahaya Bello is fast emerging as the first clueless governor of Nigeria ,Kogi state is blessed with men of intellectual capacity but we are unfortunate in leadership.

PDP Youths Condemns Kogi Govt. On Journalist Detention

PDPNYF has condemned the continuous incarceration without been charged to court of a journalist in kogi,friday ogungbemi on flimsy excuses of advising the government on the need to take part of the masses accusing the government of false pretence and feign commiseration

The group coordinator,Comrade Usman  Okai berated the return of impunity,diarchy and military approach to democratic governance gradually returning to kogi state

He accused Governor  Yahaya Bello of playing the script of his master,president mohammed Buhari in its efforts to gag the press and the opposition in nigeria of today

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PDP national youth frontiers wondered how a government can thrive without criticism and correction from the fourth estate of the realm urging kogi government to relase ogungbemi unconditionally or charge him to court advising to be concious on the body they are dealing with

The group observed with serious worries since the inception of yahaya bello and the frequent clampdown on journalists in the state warning him that media men are not his willing tool to toy with in this dispensation

The coordinator warned kogi government and his unprofessional collaborators in his media team for displaying overzealousness and opportunistic tendencies against the same platform that secured them government appointment saying it will not stand the taste of time

The group said enough is enough from the state government and advised media houses to enlighten the public on the undemocratic conducts of the APC government at all levels and the need for nigerians to retrace the wrong step taken by voting into power the APC 

It warned on the consequences of the continuous detention of Friday ogungbemi and threatened to sue the state government to court while holding it responsible for any action against the welfare of the detained journalist and the family

APC Not Worth Political Party At All - Faleke, APC Reps Member Flays

James Faleke, the former running mate to the deceased All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu, has described his party, the All Progressives Congress as a mere gathering of politician and not a matured political party..

Faleke made the expression while frowning at the party’s handling of the crisis in the state, stressing that the party is at the verge of collapse.

Speaking in Ogbonicha, Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Faleke who is currently a member of the House of Representatives ruled out any form of reconciliation with the governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, who was the beneficiary of the crises that erupted after Audu’s death.

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He explained that there can never be any reconciliation process with the leadership of the state government because of the way and manner the national leadership of the party handled the issues that generated after Audu’s death.

According to Faleke, “There can never be any reconciliation in a situation where somebody works from first day to the last day of the month and another person collects his salary, what can only be the basis for reconciliation is for the salary to be returned, that is the only reconciliation.

“We are prepared to go hungry for the next four years, but I can tell you that God sparing our lives, the song will change surely.

“The architects of the crisis in Kogi state started the imminent downfall of our party, APC, the way and manner the issue of Kogi was handled was least expected of a political party. I have heard that one of the cabals said that APC was just a gathering of some people, not yet a political party.

“I want to say that as far as what happened in Kogi state is concerned and how it is affecting the party, I am sure those in government in the state can confirm that all is not well within the party in the state because when you worked and some people are benefitting or reaping the fruits of your labour, they will know that all cannot be well and that is why they are not getting their feet right.

“It is one year after Audu and nothing seems to be moving, it has taken the state more than seven to eight months to do screening and pay salary, people have died through queueing or waiting for their names to be screened and those that had been screened have not collected salary since January this year, you can imagine that certainly things are very bad, we know how much we spend to maintain our people in the state to keep live moving.

“When people work and at the end of the month they are not paid, you can be sure that nothing can go well, so whatever that goes on in the civil service in the state is also affecting the party

“What happened to us during the case and when we lost our leader one year ago and all the battles we went through in the legal process, the way and manner the court judgments came, the issues that were determined have shown that we are not in a party yet, as far as am concerned, until the party at the national level wakes up.

“You know that this party was formed by all of us, we contributed to it, it is not an animal farm, it belongs to everybody, until they realised that, that is only time that this party can have a foot and can move forward. If our people get paid, if our people are empowered and entrenched, i am sure the songs will change, but as it is now, it is bad bad song.”

SHOCKER: Kogi Gov. Bello Missing For Over 2 Weeks

The whereabout of Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has reportedly created anxiety in the State on Sunday following the non-appearance of the Governor in public in the last two weeks, News Punch has reliably learned

According to Punch Newspaper, sources said the governor might have been flown abroad to treat an undisclosed ailment.

The report further detailed that all state functions have been put on hold leaving the Deputy Governor, Simon Achuba, with only the duty of receiving visitors on behalf of his boss.

In reaction to the missing Governor, report, the governor’s spokesman, Kingsley Fanwo, has  denied that the governor is nursing any ailment.

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In a statement issued on Sunday night, Fanwo urged the public to discountenance “the rumour,” describing it as lacking any iota of truth.

“My attention has been drawn to the spurious rumour that there are concerns over the health of the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

“I want to state clearly here for the avoidance of doubt that the rumour lacks any iota of truth. It is a reflection of the depth the enemies of Kogi State have gone in their desperate angst against fate.

Fanwo added, “The governor is hale and hearty, healthy and unwavering in his vigour to make Kogi State the Confluence of Excellence.

“I urge all Kogites of goodwill to discountenance the rumour as His Excellency will return from his two weeks break on the 12th of November, 2016.”

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Kogi: Why S'Court Actually Affirms Gov. Bello's Election

The reason why the Supreme Court yesterday, in its ruling affirming Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, as the validly elected governor of the state, declared that votes cast in an election belong to political parties, not candidates fielded by the parties.

The ruling by the apex court followed arguments by the counsels representing the various parties in the judgment which lasted several hours.

The Supreme Court’s judgment has brought to an end the entire rancor emanating from the election last year.

In a unanimous judgment, the seven-man panel presided over by Justice Sylvester Ngwuta dismissed all the appeals filed by the immediate past governor of the state, Captain Idris Wada, James Faleke, running mate of the All Progressives Candidate (APC) candidate in the November 21, 2015 governorship election, the late Prince Abubakar Audu and two others on grounds that they were lacking in merit.

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The court, however, said it would provide reasons for its decision on September 30.

Faleke had contended that the late Audu won the election hence there was no need for the supplementary election in which Governor Bello was substituted by the APC. He argued further that as the joint holder of Audu’s ticket, he should be declared the winner of the election.

But the justices, who did not agree with him, dismissed his appeal for lacking in merit. The justices affirmed the decisions of the lower courts.

Faleke’s counsel, Wale Olanikpekun (SAN), had in his argument, contended that Bello ought not to have emerged the candidate of the APC, as he was not a part of the process from the beginning. Citing Section 141 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, he pointed out that a person cannot be declared winner of an election in which he was not a participant.

He added that Governor Bello could not, therefore, inherit the votes as he was not a candidate in the election, emphasising that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) flouted the constitutional provision for the substitution of candidates when it declared the election inconclusive and decided to continue from where it had stopped, after accepting a new candidate for the APC and also argued out that though the law allowed for substitution of a candidate in the event of the death, INEC should have started the election all over, when the substitution was made.

He posited that Faleke ought to have been returned as winner of the poll, having participated in the election until it was 95 per cent complete.

The court also dismissed Wada’s case against Bello after listening to his lawyer, Chief Chris Uche.

The former governor’s lawyer also contended that the APC and INEC were wrong in allocating the late Audu’s votes to Bello.

He said votes cast were not for the APC but the people’s votes for APC.

“A party needs a candidate to conduct an election. The party cannot just bring a person to come and inherit the votes of another person,” Uche said.

Also dismissed were appeals filed by the Africa Democratic Party (ADC) and the Labour Party. The two parties had argued their cases along similar lines as Wada.

However, Joseph Daudu (SAN), counsel to Governor Bello, in his submission before the court, said Faleke’s appeal lacked substance as he had failed to show proof that Bello’s emergence as the APC candidate was wrong and that the votes cast do not belong to him as the substitution was wrongly done, as claimed.

Recalls that Audu died before the final announcement of the results of the election, following which the election was declared inconclusive.

The re-run held on December 5, 2015, led to the emergence of Bello as the governorship candidate of the party.

Wada, who contested the election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Faleke had approached the Supreme Court in August, challenging Bello’s victory at the Court of Appeal.

The appellate court had upheld an earlier judgment in June by the Kogi State Governorship Election Tribunal, which gave victory to the governor.

The tribunal, in the judgment read by its chairman, Justice Halima Mohammed, said Mr Faleke’s petition lacked merit and, consequently, threw it out.

The tribunal further held that the fact that INEC declared the first election inconclusive meant no winner had emerged.

It also said that all votes belonged to political parties and not the candidate who contested on their platforms.

It said Faleke had no locus standi to challenge Bello’s nomination by the APC to replace Audu as he (Audu) was not the governor-elect

Leadership

BREAKING: Supreme Court Affirms Yahaya Bello As Kogi Governor

The Supreme Court has just ruled and affirmed Governor Yahaya Bello as the as the governor of Kogi State.

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The court in a unanimous judgement dismissed the appeal filed by Hon. James Faleke, the deputy to Late Abubakar Audu, candidate of the APC aand Captain Idris Wada of the PGP.

The court said it will give reasons for its judgement on September 30, 2016

The election petition tribunal of the state and the court of appeal dismissed their petitions against the governor for lacking in merit.

The apex court is expected to hear the appeal today and determine it one way or the other.

The Court of Appeal in dismissed the appeal filed by Faleke, who and Captain Wada’against Yahaya Bello’s election by four-to-one split decision.

The All Progressives Congress substituted Bello as its governorship candidate and retained Faleke as its deputy governorship candidate after Audu died at the conclusion of the first round of the election held on November 21.

Kogi S'Court Governorship Judgement: Tension Rents All Camps, Gov. Bello Flees State

Palpable fear and tension have gripped the various political camps in Kogi State as the Supreme Court prepares to deliver judgment on the state governorship election.

Already, the major political gladiators in the state, including Governor Yahaya Bello, have moved to Abuja preparatory to Tuesday’s judgment day.

Aside this, security agencies in the state like the Nigeria Police, the Directorate of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been mobilised to ensure adequate security in major towns of the state ahead of the day.

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However, the three major parties to the case on Friday were confident of victory at the apex court.

Bello, who spoke through his Special Adviser, Media and Strategy, Abdulmalik Abdulkareem, said he was not shaken by the impending judgment.

He said: “We are not shaken, we know that the rule of law will take its course. God willing, we are set to make legal record that will become a precedence. The Nigerian legal system is developing and we are happy that our case is adding impetus to the Nigerian judiciary.”

He said the governor’s camp was not in any way jittery over the judgment as no different issue had been raised by the appellants.

On the governor relocating to Abuja, he said, “it is not true that the entire government machinery moved to Abuja. It is usual that when the governor is out of town, a few officials are with him. He is working; he has been attending meetings. So it is not true that he is in Abuja because of the judgment.”

But the immediate past governor of the state, Captain Idris Wada, said he expected to win the case when the judges of the apex court sit on the suit on Tuesday.

Speaking through his Special Adviser, Media and Strategy, Jacob Edi, the former governor said he had always had belief in the judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court.

He said, “We expect to win the case; we have always had confidence in the judiciary and we kept advancing to the last stage. That is why we are at the Supreme Court. The judiciary is the ultimate for the common man.

“The framers of the constitution are aware that at every stage of the case, newer interpretations will come up. We believe that the Supreme Court will look deeper into the case, particularly with the minority judgment.”

“Whatever decision taken will deepen democracy as the case is novel, it will be a landmark judgment, we have confidence in the independence of the Supreme Court”.

Nigerian Tribune

Physically Challenged Man Leads Irate Youths To Block Gov. Yahaya Bello's Wife From Entering Community; See Photos

Few days after Governor Yahaya Bello was reportedly pelted with stone and was forced to quit Jumat prayer in Kogi, some irate youths led by a physically challenged man in Ayangba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, yesterday, barricaded all access routes to the town disallowing Governor Yahaya Bello’s wife, Hajiya Rashidat Bello convoy from entering the commercial city.

The convoy of the governor’s wife which was on its way to the town to distribute items to some orphans in an orphanage home, to mark the 25th anniversary of the state creation was stopped.

Mrs. Rashidat, noticing the seriousness in the combat ready youths and for fear of being lynched immediately ordered the entourage to return back to Lokoja.

The leader of the youth
group, Jibrin Ojadale,

The leader of the youth group, Jibrin Ojadale, a physically-challenged man on wheelchair, said ; “we will not allow her distribute any item to our people unless governor Bello pay the state workers and pensioners their outstanding salary arrears.

“We also want him to account for the N20 billion bailout given to him by the federal government.”

A youth, Peters David, said in an interview, “We don’t want any Kogi State governor’s aides around here, because the governor has failed us.

“Bello is a wicked governor, we will not allow his wife or any of his aides enter our community.

What can the governor claim to have done for this community since he assumed office?

“Our people are dying every day due to lack of salary. Armed robbers and kidnapers have taken over the state,” he said.

It was gathered according to Kogi Watch that same scenario played out when she had a maiden trip to Ekinrin-Ade, in Ijumu local government area.

More Photo:

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Irate Youths Boo, Stone Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello At Jumat Prayer

Some irate youth yesterday pelted the Kogi State Governor, Mr. Yahaya Bello with stones, sachet water at the Lokoja Central Mosque where he was attending a special session to mark the 25th anniversary of the creation of the state.

It was learnt that the governor, who had arrived the mosque behind schedule, was greeted with jeers and boos by some irate youths, at the entrance of the mosque.

“The governor was booed and missiles were thrown in his direction as he alighted from his car,” the source said.

Following the incident, our sources said the prayer session was hurriedly suspended on the advice of security personnel around.

When contacted for confirmation, the Special Adviser to the governor on Media and strategy, Abdumalik Abdukarim, said the report was not true.

“I was at the mosque with the governor and I did not witness any incident like that,” he said.

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, William Aya, proved abortive as he did not answer calls made to his mobile telephone, Punch Newspaper says

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APC Leaders Move Against Gov. Bello As He Appoints 13 PDP members, 3 APC As Commissioners

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, may have more huddles to cross after his victory at the Governorship Election Tribunal that upheld his election.

Members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the National Assembly from the state, House of Assembly members, executives of the party in the state and prominent party leaders from the state, held a crucial meeting in Abuja on Monday, accusing the governor of engaging in anti-party activities.

The meeting after deliberating for over three hours, set-up an 11 member Disciplinary Committee headed by Senator Dino Melaye, to look at various allegations leveled against the governor, and report back within seven days.

The APC elected officers and party executive also accused the governor, among other things, of appointing card-carrying members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state as commissioners, special advisers, and councils’ caretaker committee members.

The meeting, which was attended by the APC Chairman in the state, Alhaji Haddy Ametuo, in its resolution that was read to journalists by Melaye after the meeting, said Governor Bello allegedly made all the appointments without carrying the party along.

They Kogi APC leaders alleged that “Out of the 15 Commissioners he (Bello) appointed, PDP has 13 card-carrying members while APC has two. Out of the 105 members of the Caretaker Committee members for the 21 Local Government Councils, PDP has 72 while APC has 33.

“Out of the 28 people he appointed as Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants, PDP has 24, APC has one, APGA has one, Labour has one, Accord has one.”

According to the party leaders, its action is based on Article 12 (8) of the APC constitution and it has agreed to set up the committee made up of members from the three senatorial districts of the state to invite the governor for necessary questioning.

They also said their action became necessary after the Governor rebuffed all attempts to hold a meeting with the State Working Committee of the party since he was sworn-in as governor, 

threatening to invoke all necessary disciplinary actions against the governor in accordance with the party constitution, in case he chooses to disregard the party resolution.

The resolution reads in part: “After much deliberations, the House noted that Governor Yahaya Bello, has substantially, breached the provision of Article 21of the constitution of the APC.

“The House, therefore resolved to constitute a disciplinary committee of 1 members to invite Governor Yahaya Bello and give him the desired fair hearing”

“Members of the disciplinary committees are, Senator Dino Melaye ( Chairman), Hon. S.T.Adejoh (Secretary), Senator Mohammed Ohiare, Senator Abubakar Abdulrahman, Senator Nicholas Ugbane, and Alhaji Haddy Ametuo, the APC Chairman in Kogi State.

“Others are, Hon.Buba Jibril, Hajia Hajara Aliyu, Hon. Folasade Joseph, and Hon. Suleiman Ali”, the resolution stated.

RipplesNigeria

Kogi Guber: Tribunal Throws Out Faleke's Suit, Uphold Yahaya Bello As Gov

The Kogi State governorship election tribunal, sitting in Abuja, has upheld the election of Governor Yahaya Bello as the duly elected governor of Kogi State.

The Chairman of the Tribunal, Halima Mohammed, who read the judgment in the petition filed by a member of the House of Representatives, James Faleke, threw away the petition for lacking in merit.

Mr. Faleke challenged the emergence of Mr. Bello as governor and asked the tribunal to declare him governor because the election of late Abubakar Audu was almost concluded before he died.

Mr. Bello was nominated by the APC to replace its late candidate, Mr. Audu.

Mr. Faleke ran as deputy governorship candidate with Mr. Audu and they were coasting to victory before Mr. Audu suddenly died.

INEC declared the election inconclusive and asked the APC to nominate a replacement for the deceased. Mr. Bello was nominated and he nominated Mr. Faleke as his deputy, an offer the latter refused.

Ms. Mohammed said on Monday that the fact that INEC declared the first election held on November 21, 2015 inconclusive meant no governor or deputy governor-elect had emerged.

She also averred that all votes cast belong to political parties, “it is the political party, through the instrumentality of its candidate that runs for election.”

She said Mr. Faleke therefore lacked the locus standi to challenge the nomination of Mr. Bello to replace the late Mr. Audu since he was never a deputy governor-elect.

The tribunal therefore, threw away his petition as lacking in merit.

“No right can accrue from an inconclusive election,” she said.

Kogi Gov. Bello, Messed Up in N1.5b Bribe For Election Tribunal Judges SCANDAL, Aisha Buhari IMPLICATED

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has been messed up over an allegation of N1.5billion bribe for election tribunal judges ahead the forthcoming judgement of the Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal filed by James Faleke, the Deputy Governor to the late Abubakar Audu.

A civil rights group under the aegis of Kogi Patriotic Front (KPF), has alleged that Governor Yahaya Bello, has given out N1.5 billion to the three justices to influence verdict in his favour, Ripples Nigeria reports

The group, acccording to our source claimed that the deal was brokered by First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, using her relationship with the governor to secure victory for him.

Their position was contained in a statement obtained by journalists on Sunday in Abuja entitled: “Kogi Governorship Tribunal & Crooks On The Bench”, and signed by the President of KPF, Babatunde Matani; Secretary-General, Ms. Ojonoka Mathew and Public Relations Officer, Oiza Sule.

While expressing surprise that a State government which has been unable to pay salaries of workers for the past eight months could afford to allegedly “bribe tribunal judges for selfish reasons”, KPF threatened to take up the matter with the National Judicial Council (NJC).

But in his reaction, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Bello, Kingsley Fanwo, dismissed the allegation saying those behind it were out for mischief and blackmail.

The KPF statement reads in part: “Our attention has been reliably drawn to the fact that the three justices have been settled with N1.5 billion by Governor Yahaya Bello in order to pervert the course of justice. The largesse has been shared at N500 million.

“Our investigations reveal that the money has been paid in foreign currency, while the justices have assured the governor that they will deliver judgment in his favour. We have reliably learnt that the First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, brokered the deal, using her relationship with Yahaya Bello, who is already boasting of victory and celebrating over judgment that has not been delivered.

“We intend to complain to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for this fraudulent, dubious and unprofessional crooks on the Nigerian Bench which we consider tantamount to the commercialisation of the peoples mandate. The KPF sees this as a travesty of justice and an affront on legality.

“We have our facts and we are imploring members of the public, media, civil society organisations and the intelligentsia to go ahead and carry out their independent investigation of this scam. The KPF will come out very soon with facts to open another can of worms.”

But Fanwo in dismissing the group said the governor of Kogi State would not have reacted to the allegation “if not for the calculated attempt at blackmailing the judiciary by mercenaries hired for a hatchet job.”

He said, “The Governor of Kogi State is a believer in the independence of the judiciary. What is on trial is the electoral process leading to the emergence of the Governor and not the judiciary. The parties to the case have defended their positions and the judiciary should be allowed to adjudicate. Those who have approached the tribunal to challenge the victory of the Governor should have faith in the temple of justice.

“Mounting a campaign of calumny against the institution they have approached for justice is a vindication of our conviction that they are only misinforming the unsuspecting public to whip up negative sentiments.

“The allegations are laughable, untrue, malicious and illogical. We urge Kogi people to continue to support Governor Yahaya Bello to take Kogi State to higher heights. The Governor is a big stakeholder in the Kogi project. He has never represented any other constituency apart from this state and therefore will not subscribe to those who want a contentious baby shared”, he said.

Credit: Ripples Nigeria

NLC Chairman Sacked, Govt. Says He's A 'Ghost Worker' for 27yrs

Apparently not linked to the just concluded nationwide strike of the Labour union led by Ayuba Wabba over hike in Petrol pump price, the Nigeria Labour Congress Chairman in Kogi State, Mr. Onuh Edoka has been sacked by the Kogi State Government after 27 years in service, claiming he is a 'ghost worker', News Punch understands

Mr. Edoka was one of about 9000 people sacked following a screening exercise to weed out illegal workers from the 21 local government areas of the state, Premium Times reports

Mr. Edoka, who serves as head of both the Medical Health Workers Union and the NLC in the state, said he was employed in 1989, and currently serves as a Disease and Surveillance Officer in the state.

He said he was baffled by the result of the screening exercise headed by Paul Okuntimo, a retired general, who gained notoriety for his role in the incarceration of the late activist, Saro Wiwa.

“The General’s committee claims that I submitted the wrong bank statements. But they only asked for my statement of accounts for the past two years which I submitted,” Premium Times quoted Mr. Edoka to have said yesterday.

Speaking on behalf of the state chapter of the NLC, Mr Edoka said the workers union would take to the streets to challenge the government’s actions.

“The government just got a bailout based on the current staff strength. Suddenly they want to retrench workers to divert the funds even though some of these workers have not been paid for over 23 months,” he said.

“The NLC is saying that these people are not ghost workers. They are living beings and we are ready to bring them out on the streets of Lokoja so that the world can see that they are not ghosts but real workers of Kogi state,” Mr Eboka said.

The government said the screening process was transparent and designed to identify persons who gained employment or obtained promotions fraudulently.

Gbenga Olorunpomi, a media aide to Gov. Yayaha Bello of Kogi State, said some of the workers who failed the screening exercise did not furnish the committee with the required information.

“For example, many of them refused to supply their BVNs [Bank Verification Numbers]. This automatically brings up the question of why they don’t have BVNs if they don’t have anything to hide,” he said, adding that the current list is merely a preliminary list and that the said workers would be given the opportunity to rectify any deficiency.

“The governor has assured the people that no legitimate worker in Kogi state will be sacked. But there are some people who got into the system fraudulently. For those people, we have no apologies,” Mr. Olorunpomi said.

A new list, which will clarify the reasons for the screening failure, is expected to be released within the week.

Credit: Premium Times

'To Hell With You', I'll Work With Whomever I Chose - Kogi Gov. Bello Dares APC

In a daring manner, the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has said it is his constitutional right to appoint his personal aides without any recourse to any group of people, provided the individuals meet up the requirement as stipulated by law of the land, Ripples Nigeria reported

The ‎governor speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Mallam Abdulkarim Abdulmalik, at the weekend was reacting to an alleged letter purportedly written by the State Executive of All Progressive Congress, APC, to the national leadership of the party.

The Governor said he was yet to be informed by the National Secretariat of the ‎APC about the petition, adding that he is running an all-inclusive government and the APC leadership are free to recommend any body for any appointment provided the person meets certain criteria for such positions.

He said his government is working towards unity and as such his doors are always open to accommodate everybody irrespective of religion, ethnic and political differences.

The governor accused the State Chairman of the APC, Alhaji Haddi Ametuo, of hiding under the party to play clannish games and PDP card against his government because his favoured choice, Honourable Jimoh Lawal, was removed as Speaker of the House of Assembly by the lawmakers.

Bello said his administration has demonstrated commitment towards rebuilding the state and unite the people for peaceful co-existence through people-oriented policies and programme.

This according to him attested to the warm reception accorded him at Okene when he was recently received by a large crowd that thronged the city square to rejoice with him over his victory at the polls.

“I will not behave like the past leaders, who now regret not doing the right thing while in office due to selfish pressure mounted on them by some people. Anybody with impeccable credentials and feels that he has something to offer the state can come forward,” Governor Bello stated.

The Governor further explained that his government will continue to accord respect to every citizen of the state adding that the day of ethnicity and inter-tribal crisis are over.

Source: Ripples Nigeria

Kogi Gov. Bello Dumps APC Members, Appoints 45 PDP To Cabinet, Party Declares War With The Gov

The Kogi state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has written to John Odigie-Oyegun, the national chairman, vowing never to have anything to do with Yahaya Bello, the governor, again.

They accused Bello of giving power back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through the back door, alleging that all the 45 appointments made so far were from the ousted ruling party.

At the meeting held on Monday and attended by 33 state exco members and the 21 LGA party chairmen, the party leaders also alleged that Bello is responsible for the crisis in the house of assembly which has not been able to sit because of a leadership tussle.

The federal house of representatives has decided to take over the duties of the assembly, citing constitutional provisions.

Here are the highlights of the communique from the exco meeting made public of Saturday:

• That the State government is not carrying the party structures along in his policy directions, appointments and general governance.
• That we are in the power but still in opposition.
• That we fought power from the PDP only for Governor Yahaya Bello to give back the power to the same PDP.
• That all the 45 appointments made so far by his Excellency, Gov. Yahaya Bello are given to PDP members.
• That there is crisis between our  members in the State house of Assembly instigated by the State Governor.

RESOLUTIONS

• That a communiqué be issued from this meeting to the National Secretariat National Leaders and the Presidency making these observations known to them.
• That since we are not prepared to allow our party to die, we should go back to our various levels and energize our structure and tell them to remain calm, steadfast and committed to the ideals of the party.
• That the State EXCO should cry out for help to the National Secretariat National Leaders and the Presidency.
• That we should invite all our members in the State house of Assembly and intervene with a view to uniting them.
• That we will henceforth have nothing to do with government of Yahaya Bello.
• In view of the above, we plead to the National Leaders and Presidency to consider the State’s ministerial nominee from legacy party so our party will not collapse.

TheCable

Double 'Wahala' For Saraki As EFCC Uncovers Billions of Naira Theft While As Kwara Governor

The Code of Conduct Bureau has said there is evidence that the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, while governor of Kwara State between 1999 and 2007, obtained huge bank loans and paid back the loans with funds belonging to the state.

The bureau alleged that Saraki used the bank loans running into billions of naira to acquire landed assets in Lagos, Abuja and London.

The Bureau said it gathered the information from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission which conducted investigations into various petitions written against the Senate President between 2010 and 2012.

The CCB’s position is contained in a counter-affidavit deposed to by one of its operatives, Peter Danladi, in opposition to a fresh motion filed by Saraki to challenge the validity of the 13 counts of false assets declaration instituted against him before the tribunal.

Danladi stated, “That I was informed by Mr. Yahaya Bello, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in our office on March 14, 2016 at about 11am and I verily believe him that:

“The EFCC received various petitions against the defendant/applicant between 2010 and 2012 alleging acts of corruption, theft, money laundering etc.

“The EFCC conducted its investigation of the various petitions and made findings which showed that the defendant/applicant abused his office while he was Governor of Kwara State and was involved in various acts of corruption as the governor of the state.

“The defendant/applicant borrowed huge sums of money running into billions from commercial banks, particularly Guarantee Trust Bank and used the proceeds of the loan to acquire several landed properties in Lagos, Abuja and London while he was Governor of Kwara State.

“As against the defendant using his own legitimate income to defray the loan, he took public funds running into billions from Kwara State Government and lodged same in several tranches and in cash into his GTB account in GRA, Ilorin, Kwara State.

“The defendant/applicant’s account officer in GTB confirmed that the defendant/applicant gave him several cash in government house to lodge into the account and in some occasions, the defendant sent his aides from government house to give him the cash for lodgment into his account.

“When EFCC submitted its report to its legal department and the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Federal Ministry of Justice formed the opinion that the offences revealed from the investigation, particularly as they relate to the properties acquired by the defendant/applicant while he was Governor of Kwara State and various monies sent into his various accounts outside Nigeria can be better investigated and prosecuted through the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal.

“The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation then sent the findings and the evidence gathered during investigation by the EFCC as a complaint to the Code of Conduct Bureau for investigation and that the operative of EFCC would collaborate with the officers of the bureau for effective investigations.”

Abusidiqu

Kogi Controversy: Gov. Yahaya Bello NOT Registered Voter In Kogi, Own Witness Tells Tribunal

The Kogi State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja was on Tuesday told that Governor Yahaya Bello’s voter card actually carried an Abuja address.

Onoja Edward, a witness in the Kogi State governorship election dispute, told the Justice Halima Muhammad-led tribunal that Bello had applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the transfer of the card back to Lokoja.

The witness, who is the Chief of Staff to the Governor and Director of Strategies for Bello’s Campaign, gave the testimony while being cross-examined by the Counsel to the petitioner, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN).

According to the witness: “I detest impunity.

“I also detest fraud.

“I will not encourage impunity or fraud in governance.

“The voter card of the 2nd respondent, Bello, carries the address of Abuja, but we have applied for transfer and we are yet to get the approval.

“Although, the names on INEC nomination form is bearing Abubakar Audu and James Faleke upon the request by the 2nd respondent party, that is the All Progressives Congress after the death of Audu, the 2nd respondent submitted his nomination form to INEC.

“Also, Exhibit R6 is a document which pronounces the election to run from November 2015 to December 2015.”

The witness also told the tribunal that Faleke was a running mate throughout the election period and that he had never been an independent candidate in the Kogi State election.

Edward said 28 candidates contested for the Kogi State primary election of the All Progressives Congress and the petitioner was not part of the candidates that contested.

“The total of 6,885 votes was secured by APC in the December 5 supplementary election and there was no cancellation of votes in the 91 polling units across the state,” the witness added.

Edward also told the tribunal when he was being cross-examined by the INEC counsel, Alex Izinyon, (SAN), that Bello obtained the second best result in the primary election and that was why he was considered to represent the party after Audu’s death.

“Seven hundred and three is the scores Bello had during the primary and 1,109 was Audu’s scores and there was never a time the petitioner was an independent candidate.

“The petitioner had never been sent as an independent candidate all through the electioneering process.

“He had been a running mate all through the election.”

Izinyon had earlier told the tribunal that he had no witness to call but documents to tender in relation to the election.

Some of the documents used for the election were tendered by the INEC Counsel and they were all admitted and marked as exhibits.

While being led in evidence-in-chief by Counsel to Bello, Joseph Daudu, the witness adopted all his statements on oath.

The tribunal, however, adjourned further hearing until April 6 in Faleke’s petition.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the tribunal also adjourned till March 22 for the adoption of written address in the petition filed by the retired Captain Idris Wada, the former governor of the state and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the election.

Counsels in Wada’s petition had earlier informed the tribunal that they had filed all necessary documents before the tribunal.

NAN.

APC Crisis: Buhari Endorses Oyegun's Sack As Pressure Mounts, His Many Sins Revealed

Ripples - Prominent forces within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may have secured President Muhammadu Buhari’s backing to dispense with national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Ripples can exclusively report.

Investigations revealed that the Board of Trustees (BoT), National Executive Council (NEC) and most members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party as well as leading National Assembly members have decided to do away with Oyegun.

Oyegun, it was gathered, has become a dispensable commodity according to the forces against him because of his mishandlings of several issues in the party.

The national chairman is being accused of committing serious infractions that have created needless troubles for the party.

It was learnt that all these infractions have been collated and explained to the Presidency, which has since decided to go with the Oyegun-must-go project.

Sources said President Buhari was initially opposed to the campaign to send Oyegun packing because their relationship dated back to 2007 when the President contested under the defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) with Oyegun playing prominent, visible roles.

Buhari was said to have balked at the idea, according to findings, because of the suspicion that the move was just a campaign of calumny against the former Edo State governor.

He was however swayed over after the infractions committed by Oyegun and how they have affected the fortunes of the party were tabled before him.

The President was said to have told the party chieftains that with all the evidence against the national chairman, he was no longer fit to continue in office.

Buhari however reportedly insisted Oyegun should be given a soft-landing to avert a major backlash that will trail a forced resignation or sack.

Prominent among the infractions the anti-Oyegun elements presented was his handling of the Kogi governorship supplementary debacle that produced Yahaya Bello.

It was learnt many NWC and NEC members actually endorsed James Faleke to fly the party’s ticket but they were allegedly shut down by Oyegun.

Oyegun, many of them alleged, was bought over by Bello, a wealthy business merchant, with a whopping N300million “as fuel money” after a visit to the chairman in Abuja.

This ‘fuel money’, APC chieftains alleged was why Oyegun stuck out his neck for Bello even when some prominent members begged for Faleke to continue the inconclusive election.

It was learnt that the party’s leaders succeeded in proving this allegation to Buhari at a meeting last week in Abuja.

The national chairman is also accused of hobnobbing with Senate President Bukola Saraki, who is facing trial at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) over charges of false declaration of assets.

Oyegun was said to have angered party chieftains when he recognised Saraki few days after his emergence in defiance of the APC’s directives.

His enemies were believed to have told Buhari it was despicable for the chairman to have recognised Saraki even when it was obvious the President was livid about his emergence and avoided him for months.

“If our chairman could recognise a rebellious Senate President when the President was still angry with the process that produced him, it shows he was throwing his weight around.

“Look at how the mess has created troubles for the anti-corruption war. The National Assembly is clearly obstructing the President’s policies and programmes.'

“By recognising him without clearance from the Presidency, Oyegun compromised the party. He boasted Saraki’s defiance and slighted Buhari,” a 

source privy to the Oyegun-must-go project confided.

The source added that the March 22 NWC meeting in Abuja will be the beginning of the end for Oyegun while his fate might be sealed on March 23 when the BoT meeting holds.

The March 24 NEC meeting, according to the plan, will serve as the platform to push Oyegun out.

Already there are pressures on him to turn in his resignation so as not to give the impression that he was edged out.

Oyegun, who returned from a 10-day leave on Monday, it was learnt, has been lobbying to save his job.

But sources said the party has suffered greatly under him.

“We are drifting. There is no discipline and we are not in charge. We need a chairman who can rein in things for the President so that Buhari can concentrate on the business of governance,” a NWC member told our correspondent on Monday night.