Tag: Yahaya Bello

EFCC’s ‘Slouchy Utterances’ Against Bello: MPPR Condemns Agency’s Bias, Calls for Fair Play
- ..Says chairman should tell Nigerians why he wants Bello to follow the back door to see him
Leadership of the Movement for the Protection of People’s Rights MPPR on Friday, disclosed that slouchy statements from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Boss, Mr. Ola Olukoyede on the person of Yahaya Bello has continued to show that the chances of justice for the later are very slim.

In a statement jointly signed by Comrade Musa Abdullahi, the Secretary General and Comrade Abiola Adegbite, Dir, Media & Publicity, the group warned the anti-graft agency boss to quit looking for ways to bring in Yahaya Bello via backdoor.

It read: “Since the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) in 2002, its activities have elicited both support and suspicion in the fight to tackle graft cases in Nigeria. Patriotic citizens from all walks of life have consistently stood by the EFCC in the difficult mandate given to it through an Act of the National Assembly.

“Going through the recent press statement issued by the EFCC in which it has accused an imaginary named former Governor and two ex- ministers of spearheading a planned protest against the Commission is not only baseless, absurd but also cowardly. The story credited to the EFCC giving credence to some faceless 259 civil society organisations under the aegis of nonexistent Coalition for Transparency is a disgrace carried too far in the anti- graft war in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

“With the story credited to the EFCC, one would think that the Commission was deliberately fashioned for lies, gross mischief, and drain pipe purpose – a channel of deception and castration of Nigeria’s puberty. From all indications, the groups being celebrated by the EFCC are either the creation of the Commission or the agency cash and carry, non existent nor unregistered NGOs/ CSOs arrangement and hatchet jobbers with them on retainership basis. Not long ago, one of such beneficiaries wrote a petition to the National Judicial Council,( NJC) against a Judge handling the case between the EFCC and a former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. Sadly, the author of the said petition to the NJC was once arrested and charged to court by the Nigeria Police for mischief, falsehood, and frivolous claims against a former Attorney-General of the Federation. What a shame and a coincidence for the EFCC- to be hobnobbing with such a disgruntled and malicious character parading himself as an activist.Has the EFCC forgotten the ethos of crime101 of profiling and carrying out due diligence of any of its friends before association?

“Rather than remain a vile witness of dishonour, false alarms, arbitrariness and politicization of the anti- graft war, we must posit that the era of fighting the anti-corruption war with disobedience to court orders, selective prosecution, intimidation, gestapo like arrests, defamation of character and blackmail are gone forever with the wind. The Commission should rather concentrate its energy on the investigation of N23 billion Kano- Maiduguri abandoned rail line contract, the CCTV contract scam awarded for Lagos and Abuja worth over USD100 million, monies in billions spent by NDDC, the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry’s mind boggling “N729 billion” fraud, among others and also during the COVID-19 lock down.

“Consequently, they also have an obligation to identify the Nigerian government officials who have been collecting bribes and perpetuating money laundering through Bitcoins platforms since 2016. But they all left these serious state matters in the coolers to go after a politically assumed enemy and a juggernaut who has become a rallying point for the youths in Nigeria and a formidable ally of Mr President. These are all in a bid, to please their monstrous paymasters and retain the office of the Chairman of the EFCC. How long will Olukayode be using unethical methods and gestapo like arrests and movements to persecute and hound Yahaya Bello in order to please his self-serving ambition and cohorts.

“Nigeria is a country founded on constitutional democracy, anchored on the rule of law and due process. Therefore, we challenge the EFCC to disclose the identity of the ex-Governor and two former ministers spearheading the concocted protest against the EFCC, including the venue and time where the meeting took place. They must furnish Nigerians with details of the attendance list of the meeting and the money earmarked for the imaginary and phantom protest as alleged! How can the Commission stoop so low to embark on the dissemination of such hearsay, falsehood, orchestrated plots, red imaginary shadows, misrepresentation and innuendos without due process and the rule of law? The EFCC has become the accuser, prosecutor, and judge in its own case. What a misnomer?

“We must state categorically, to those who are either ignorant of the law establishing the agency or trying to display some affinity with the arrogance of the EFCC to note the motive behind the creation of the Commission wasn’t meant for the abuse of prosecutorial powers or usurp political authority. This presupposes that the Commission and its agents must act in accordance with the constitution and civil conduct in the discharge of their duties in consonance with the rule of law and civility in all its obligations to the citizenry, but the reverse is now the case under the present leadership.

“We wish to ask the EFCC some salient questions relevant to the handling of their case against Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello. Why are they shopping for a pliable judge to handle their persecution of Bello? Contrary to the standing operational procedure? Why did the Chairman place a call directly to Bello and want him to follow the back door if there is no hidden agenda? What was the motive behind the Chairman’s placement of direct call to Bello? Why was he interested in ushering him via the Chairman’s special entrance gate and exclusive door? A back door arrangement that Bello rejected outright till date has become his being hounded regrettably!

“This brings us to the shadow boxing placement of Bello on the watch list of Interpol. The apt description of the action of the EFCC in this regard can be described as ultravires, premeditated, teleguided, and an agenda for settling scores, having an axe to grind

“It is a big shame, ridiculous and embarrassing for obvious reasons, the EFCC is granting interviews and issuing statements in a clearer attempt to ambush and preempt judicial officers handling their case against Bello who are already in various courts of competent jurisdiction. What a shameless act by the agency!

“The EFCC must desist from further overheating the polity, from undemocratic and unconstitutional practices in the handling of this case and others. The era of plotting shenanigans and suffocating excuses in the fight against graft is over. Therefore, all cases before the courts must be allowed to be exhausted in full and the outcome decided. The anti-graft body must not be seen to probate and reprobate in a desperate bid to crucify any accused persons under investigation or prosecution under its watch. Actions of resorting to self-help, amounts to prejudicial and subjudicial, that are entrenchently intolerable in terms of both legal and moral compliance.

“Only an institution that has abandoned its core mandate would embark on a proxy war, name calling, and grandstanding. Blaming white witches and village people for their incompetence, lack of due diligence, and unprofessional conduct. Wasting taxpayers’ monies on wild goose chase that would lead Nigerians to no where, except the land of voodoo warriors insinuating about planned and sponsored protests against the commission.

“For the umpteenth time, let us state that the placement of Bello on the watch list, which is already before the court, is mischievous, self-serving, arbitrarily obnoxious and devoid of fairness.

It is on this ground that we are urging the Chairman of the EFCC to resign from office forthwith due to his inability to discharge his mandate without fear, favour, and biases.

“Let us make it abundantly clear that natural justice is anchored in the will of Almighty God taught to mankind. The EFCC should always act with fear of God devoid of sentiments and preferential treatment of requesting suspects to see the Chief Prosecutor through his special backdoor. Nigerians are still waiting for explanation on other high suspects granted such merited or unmerited favours. The criteria used for the selection process and the fate of those who accepted and others who rejected such private gestures! The Nigerian people are interested in the overall outcome of what transpired during both day and night visits through the Chairman’s exclusive door!

“Finally, the desperate agenda to crucify Bello amounts to giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it. The constant review of human regulations and laws is evidence of civility, as Edmund Burke aptly captures it plainly when he said, ‘Bad laws are worst sort of tyranny’.

“The EFCC has goofed once again and should explain to Nigerians the extant rule of the exclusive backdoor passage, which Yahaya Bello declined and rejected.

“We therefore call on the International Community, Donor Agencies and Partners to dispassionately read in between the lines in terms of the backdoor arrangement/exclusivity offered by the Chairman of EFCC to Bello and the glaring double – standards and inconsistencies in the handling of the anti-graft war as it relates to politically exposed persons in Nigeria!

“With the above, the Chairman of EFCC has no moral right to stay a day longer in office as the Chairman of the agency!”
July 12, 2024
Angst against Igala Elders’ Conspiracy with EFCC to Take Out Yahaya Bello
- ‘Igala Kingdom’s cohort with EFCC will surely fail…’
- Tinubu urged to swiftly protect Bello.
Based on the ongoing hounding, harassment, media blackmail and trial including using state apparatchik to malign, intimidate and take out the former Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, we are compelled to issue the following terse statement to put all the scenarios in proper perspective for Nigerians to know the succinct truth:

1. As members of Humanity Africa (HM), we have watched with utter sadness and serious concern, the news going round on the plot to take out the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in a grand conspiracy between a section of the Igala Elders, Social Democratic Party (SDP) leadership and some forces controlling the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The story, credited to an active member of the opposition from the Igala axis of the state, could have been ignored as the ranting of some desperate political fortune-seekers and drowning men. But for the visibility of the person in series of threats against Yahaya Bello campaign of calumny, including the sponsored protest staged recently in front of EFCC headquarters in Abuja aimed at giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it, which was also targeted at giving a “guilty-as-charged” verdict against an innocent person. This should not happen until the accused person is supposedly proven guilty by a competent court of law. We condemn in its entirety the lackluster shenanigans of the EFCC – in tandem with the Igala Elders and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) leadership to “kill” Yahaya Bello at whatever cost. That informs our reason for calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to as a matter of urgency, come to the aid of the embattled former governor.

2. The said rogue agent, working in collaboration with others, has appeared as a politician and in another breath, heads a pseudo-NGO in thick plot and in support of the persecution agenda against Yahaya Bello.

3. But for the twist in the antics employed by the politicians, so-called elders and another partisan lawyer, cooking up blatant lies, clandestine plots and mischief disguised as anti-corruption narratives (but clearly a sectarian agenda and ethnic motive to take Yahaya Bello out of circulation at all cost and by all means because of his Ebira ethnic stock). This, we understand, is also aimed at wiping the Ebiras out of future political struggles, calculations, permutations and state matters and is, indeed, condemnable by discerning Nigerians.

4. Haba! The utter rubbish, unfounded and contradictory statements credited to the EFCC Chairman, during his desperate media conference are a sad reminder and narrative of how dispassionate the Commission has been operating under the present and past leadership. The selective nature of the handling of the Bello’s case has eroded the passion and commitment of the Nigerian people in the fight against graft in order to settle political and sectarian scores.

5. It is on record, that Yahaya Bello has consistently paid school fees for his children over the years. But some characters in the EFCC hobnobbing with others pursuing ethnic and primordial agenda and sentiments twisted logic on its head just to give Bello a bad name in order to hang him, claimed he only paid the school fees at the twilight of his administration leaving the Kogi State Government House.

6. The mere involvement of ethnic champions in the contrived narrative against Yahaya Bello by EFCC, with all the complexities and cleavages associated with governance, shows the Commission’s desperation and clannish attitude in acting out a script at the behest and inducement of tribal jingoists still nursing an injury of electoral defeat suffered by them during both the Presidential and Governorship elections held in the state last year. They should hide their heads in shame and move on and take their defeat in the spirit of sportsmanship.

7. Every reasonable person knows the antecedents of the people fighting Bello and the interest they are still serving. They are either suffering from amnesia or surely taking Nigerians for fools. It’s either of these postulations that can only explain their naked hatred for Bello’s political dexterity, sagacity and the magnitude of bitterness and anger they have deployed against him for his refusal to allow them hijack the treasury of Kogi State as well as refusal to grant them unfitted access to the political empire. In fact, they are working to make President Tinubu the fall guy after they finish dealing with all the people that mobilized and voted for him into office, not minding the fact that 2027 is just by the corner and Yahaya Bello is still a factor in Kogi politics and national landscape. We ask the state apparatchik to thread carefully in this matter and let reason override the emotions of hounding a reliable party man and stakeholder whose only offence is in overwhelmingly winning the presidential elections for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in spite of what transpired before, during and after the elections. We ask that we should all ‘MOVE’.

8. The issue of the EFCC’s arbitrariness and selective persecution of suspects has been settled a long time ago. It is a fact that everyone, except dishonest minds, knows the present Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume during his tenure as Governor of Benue State, and how he went to court and secured an order against the EFCC then. After his exit, till date, the Commission has never harassed, but has rather allowed the judicial process to take its course and take care of itself. So many other cases abound in our history, as encapsulated by both Chief Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa and Chief Mike Ezekhome (SAN) amongst so many other distinguished legal luminaries who have spoken against the Gestapo-like handling of the allegations against Yahaya Bello and similar cases based on previous rulings in courts of competent jurisdiction.

9. If the people haunting Bello are sincere with themselves, they should recuse themselves from any form of subjudicial act and brigandage against him and allow the courts to decide his case devoid of interference in any manner whatsoever. It doesn’t seem likely that Bello is going to have justice in the hands of these fifth columnists who are hell-bent on achieving illegality, and people deficient in fairness, objectivity and the rule of law.

10. It is on record, that the same EFCC, in a similar undemocratic manner and clear breach of the fundamental rights of late Hon. Morris Ebekwe (then incumbent of the House of Representatives), was arrested for advanced fee fraud and was incarcerated for a very long period of time in a purely bailable offence. He was left in detention without trial until his eventual death under very suspicious circumstances. The then President, Olusegun Obasanjo, was blamed for the death of the man and, as such, we do not want such to happen to our youthful presidential hopeful and a shinning light of the Ebiras.

11. Nigerians are genuinely concerned and troubled with the revelation coming from a section of the Igala Elders Forum of Kogi State. There are more to it than meets the eye; hypocrisy and fraternization between the Commission, the infamous Igala group and some SDP leaders including compromised or vested interest personalities, are working based on ethnic induced agenda to give Yahaya Bello the exact type of evil treatment applied to late Hon. Ebekwe in EFCC custody. There is even an increasing tone of desperation by some clowns urging Bello to submit to people working round the clock to deny him justice. These same characters would turn round to push the blame game against President Bola Tinubu by the time they finish with Bello, during his expected incarceration.

12. It is the candid opinions of many Nigerians that the war against corruption under Magu, Bawa and present Olukayode is tainted, derailed and tailored towards serving another interest different from the one of Nigerians and President Bola Tinubu. They are also having reservation on the powers being used by the Commission against state governors and their appointees without the needed requisite complaints or indictment from the constitutionally created State Houses of Assembly, as enshrined in our laws. The appropriate thing for the EFCC is to concentrate on the thousands of cases related to treasury banditry at their federal jurisdiction. Of particular interest to us is the case of the failed Jos-to-Maiduguri rail-line project awarded in the year 2012. The sum of more than N23 billion US dollars was paid to shadowy contractors with nothing to show on ground to justify the expense. There are so many abandoned cases related to corruption and abuse of office, including others directly linked to operatives of the Commission that exited from the service after they became wealthy. This aspect is for another day.

13. We have agreed that some people are pretending to be fighting corruption, shedding crocodile tears seeking to earn the confidence of President Tinubu. Our candid advice is that such persons must desist from such devilish acts and not seek to do so by taking sides or sympathizing with ethnic motivated cases. Some politicians who have something to hide or seeking to settle scores, are behind these uncanny ways of ambushing President Tinubu’s government. We therefore, implore the President, as the unbiased personality we know, as father of all, to protect Yahaya Bello against the people trying to give him the Ebekwe treatment. We all know that over the years, President Tinubu has fought against arbitrariness and high handedness of the EFCC under the Obasanjo-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) era and stood by several politically-exposed persons maltreated with similar suffocating tactics akin to this Bello matter persecuted by the EFCC and their running dogs during the said era of locusts. The President himself was a victim of frame-up and phantom charges at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in which he came out victorious because he was unjustly being persecuted based on rhetorics. The same can be seen today also and we must tread carefully and not allow emotions becloud our judgement.

14. After all, by our laws, offenders are presumed innocent, until proven otherwise, by a competent court of jurisdiction after being tried and evidences against such persons weighed before exacting punishment and sentences.

Signed:

COMRADE WALE ADEGOKE
Convener, Humanity Africa (HM)

COMRADE ISMAIL IBRAHIM BAKORI
Secretary, Humanity Africa (HM)
May 7, 2024
Group Petition EFCC Over Abysmal Withdrawal of N15b by Ex Kogi Gov. Yahaya Bello

A foremost assemblage of rights activists in Nigeria, Open Justice Initiative has petitioned the Economic Financial Crimes Commission to carryout an immediate interrogation on the ex-gov of Kogi State over an alleged abysmal withdrawal of 15 billiion naira tagged term loan contract financing.

In the suit, the group alleged that Yahaya Bello, had always enjoyed syphoning and diverting funds allocated for the state development and has been petitioned to not just the EFCC, but also the ICPC, over “financial recklessness, corruption, money laundering and fraudulent application of Kogi State’s resources.

The group in a statement signed by its convener, Edeh Uchenna C esq, edehuchennac@gmail.com, on Tuesday, stated that in a letter dated on the 18th of August, 2023, written to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, the government in the said letter was requesting approval and establishment of irrevocable standing payment order (ISPO) on the fifteen-billion-naira term loan contract financing from zenith bank.

“In the letter, they claimed, that pursuant to the resolution of the Federal Government of Nigeria to collaborate with all tiers of government in their infrastructural development project of their states, Kogi State government in the last 7years embarked upon various laudable infrastructural development projects across the State for the upliftment of the living standard of her citizens hence the reason for their abysmal request.

“May we reiterate that within the backdrop of their so-called claims, we do not and cannot count how many infrastructural development, project Yahaya Bello executed or commissioned to deserve the payment of such whooping sum. It is well within our right as the 5th estate of the realm’ to say that during Yahaya Bello’s first four years in office, government workers were always in queer street-incarcerated in hardship and muzzled by his puppets and just like the first, his second tenure is an emblem of hardship, insecurity and oppression, there were no major projects that he commissioned neither can the veracity of his claims to have better the lives of the citizenry be confirmed.

“The Economic Financial Crimes Commission is mandated to carryout investigation of all financial crimes including advance fee fraud, money laundering, counterfeiting, illegal fund transfers, futures market fraud, contract scam, confirm validity of projects while also coordinating and enforcing all economic and financial crimes laws; hence the need for this petition.

“We are concerned about the development of the state and as watchdog of the society, we do not take any ounce of glory off a public steward that performed while in office, that is to say if Yahaya Bello had performed according to the oath taken before assuming the post of a governor, we will be the first to thrown in some accolade.

“Also, we wonder on what basis the government is irrevocably and unconditionally mandating the Federal Ministry of Finance to deduct from State Statutory Revenue Allocation the sum of N557,453,750.40 at monthly intervals commencing August 2023 up to Thirty-Six (36) months and remit same directly to Kogi State SRA Zenith Bank with Account Number- 1014558813, for replacement of the facility granted to the state.” It added.

The group however, urged the anti-graft agencies to verify the veracity of the infrastructural development projects allegedly executed, commissioned by the state government under Yahaya Bello’s administration, processes followed and ensure due interrogation and response to the issue which is bedeviling the state.

February 20, 2024
Gov. Bello commiserates with Ondo counterpart over mother’s demise

Gov. Bello commiserates with Ondo counterpart over mother’s demiseKogi state governor, Yahaya Bello has commiserated with his colleague governor of Ondo state, Rotimi Akeredolu over the demise of his mother Lady Evangelist Grace Akerodolu (JP) who passed on Thursday at the age 90years.

Governor Bello’s in his commiseration which was contained in a press statement signed on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Muhammed Onogwu described a mother’s demise as a pain best understood by those who have felt it.

He noted that despite being of age, the vacuum such loss creates cannot be filled by anyone, urging the governor to take consolation in the truth that Mama lived a fulfilled life in the service of his creator and humanity.

Governor Bello similarly extended his commiseration to the entire family of the deceased over the demise of their matriarch while urging them to continue in Mama’s footsteps and preserve her good legacies

The governor prayed for God to grant Lady Akeredolu eternal rest and for consolation to everyone who has been hurt by her demise.

September 18, 2022
Gov.Bello approves N15m scholarship for 12-year-old Tennis prodigy, Azziza

Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello has approved the sum of N15m naira as scholarship award to 12-year-old table tennis prodigy, Sezuo Ize Azziza.

The beneficiary represented Kogi State at the 2021 Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) National Championship, held in Lagos.

Confirming the report, Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Muhammed Onogwu noted that the approval which will be released into the beneficiary’s account to cater for her education from secondary School up until university was in fulfilment of the governor’s promise to the fatherless tennis lad.

Sezuo Ize Azziza who was born into a less privileged family and loosing her father a very tender age desired to study Medicine and Surgery in the University, a dream the governor alluded must not be hindered because of her family’s financial status

Azziza recently caught the governor’s attention with her brilliant and exceptional performance at tournament where she represented the state.

The CPS noted that the governor was amazed by the kid’s brilliance when he received Azziza and her family in his office in Lokoja, he said the governor stressed that the lad was not only skilful in her extracurricular activities but a brilliant teenager that must be given all the necessary support to enable her actualise her dreams.

Reacting to the development, the State’s Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon Wemi Jones commended the governor for promoting girl child education and other intervention in improving education development in Kogi State.

August 3, 2022
Gov. Bello queries council chairman, orders immediate suspension of traditional rule

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has directed the suspension of the Ohi of Eganyi and Chairman, Ajaokuta Traditional Area Council, HRH Alhaji Musa Isah Achuja with immediate effect after the investigation that led to his arrest and detention by the security agency.

In a letter to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Kogi State, the governor also directed that the Chairman of Ajaokuta Local Government Area, Hon Mustapha Aka’aba be queried over the breach and should reply within 24 hours.

The governor’s directive against the affected persons is in connection with the recent security breach in the area which led to the untimely deaths of some security personnel on their legitimate engagements of maintaining law and orders.

The governor strongly warned other traditional rulers across the state who may have connection in one way or the other with criminal elements in their domains to desist forthwith, saying that his administration will delt ruthlessly with anybody who romances with criminal elements no matter how highly placed they are.

In the same vein, Governor Bello also directed that all unofficial movements of the local government council chairmen out of their territory and other journeys without due process are hereby restricted

The governor warned that no amount of connivance with criminals will deter him from his fundamental responsibility of protecting lives and property of the citizens and residents of the state.

July 31, 2022
Gov. Bello mourns soldiers killed in Presidential Brigade Guard attack

…commiserates with families of deceased, Nigeria Army.

Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello has expressed grief over killing of Army officials by suspected terrorists during an ambush on the Presidential Brigade Guard on Sunday along Bwari Road, Abuja.

Governor Bello in a Press release signed on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Muhammed Onogwu, stated that it was more saddening to find out that two out of the fallen gallant officers, namely Captain Samuel Attah and Lieutenant Ibrahim Suleiman were illustrious sons of Kogi state.

Governor Bello condemning the incidence described it as a dastard act and a show of cowardice while urging authorities to expedite actions and ensure the capture of those responsible and also forestall any future occurrence.

He added that the concern of incessant but cowardly uncoordinated attacks by terrorists must receive keen attention and brutal response from respective security agencies, asserting that the Nigerian internal sovereignty must not be at the mercy of criminal elements.

The governor commiserated with the families of the deceased, particularly the father of Lt. Suleiman, Col Suleiman Ahmodu Babanawa (Rtd) from Okpo, Olamaboro Local Govt. and Captain Samuel Attah from Ibaji Local Government Area of the State. He also extended his commiseration to the Nigeria Army over the death of some of their finest officers.

Governor Bello prayed for God to grant the repose of the demise eternal rest and that every person hurt by their shocking and painful demise, should receive succour from their pains.

July 26, 2022
CSO Flays Yahaya Bello Over Wheelbarrow Empowerment

As groups continue to rally support for Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to vie for the exalted seat of the presidency in 2023, a civil society group, Guardians of Democracy and Development (GDD) has warned Nigerians to be retrospect about such a choice saying his antecedence as governor fell short of expectations.

The CSO in a statement signed by its convener, Danesi Momoh Prince particularly frowned at the recent distribution of wheelbarrow and shovels to the youth in the state by the governor describing the action as not only archaic but an insult on the sensibility of the people.

Consequently, the group urged Nigerians to be thorough in assessing people who aspire for public office rather than basing their decisions on mundane issues such as age, religion and tribe amongst others.

According to the CSO, Nigeria has attained a height it can no longer afford mediocre leadership explaining that the social and infrastructural deficit requires someone who is scientific in his reasoning and approach to governance.

“Majority of Nigerians are not satisfied with the state of affairs in the country and this shortfall is in all spheres of the nation’s life. What this entails is that we have not taken seriously the processes of selecting our leaders. This is why as CSO, we have taken it upon ourselves to mobilise Nigerians to get involved in the leadership selection process.

“One of the ways of doing this is to speak against those who are eminently not qualified to occupy leadership positions. A governor who still sees wheelbarrow and shovels as empowerment implements certainly has nothing desirable to offer than returning the country to the stone age era.

“At a time many state governors in the country are setting up highly technical institutions or sponsoring youths abroad for ICT related courses such as software engineering, animation, video editing and graphics amongst others and the beneficiaries of such overseas training are not only empowered, but also train and empower others, we have a governor who still promotes wheelbarrow pushing contrary to to building a modern economy.

“Kogi state is an agrarian state quite alright, but other state governors are empowering their youth elsewhere with grants and modern farm implements to venture into large scale mechanised farming not wheel barrows. Such a way of thinking does not speak well of somebody who wants to be president of a country in the 21st century.

“Recall too that it took Yahaya Bello for forever to settle staff salaries when he resumed office despite grants made available by the federal government to that effect. That singular act made Kogi state a laughing stock in the country. Governor Bello has gone a step further to redicule the state again with another ridiculous programme of youth empowerment. A man who is insensitive to the plight of the people, who has reduced Kogi youths to people only fit for wheel barrow pushing and manual labour can’t make a good president,’ the group added.

“While we acknowledge the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari, we make bold to say Nigeria deserves someone who will do better not one who is oblivious of the fact that machines have taken over strenuous jobs hitherto done manually”.

January 25, 2021