News
SDP calls out Kogi govt over attacks on party’s secretariat
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi state has pointed accusing finger at the state government for sponsoring attacks on its party secretariat and campaign office in Lokoja, where party flags, campaign banners were burnt.
A statement signed by the State SDP Secretary, Dr Arome Okeme, described the event as “unfortunate and barbaric”.
Okene drew the attention of President Bola Tinubu to the excesses of the state government to ensure it does not cause further loss of lives and property, which might lead to the party’s supporters resorting to self help.
“The state executives of the Social Democratic Party have found it necessary indeed to address the members of the press and, through them, Nigeria as a whole on the heightened threat to democracy and its ideals, and security of lives and property posed by the uncouth and uncivilized actions of the state government.
“On the 9th of July, at about 9am, urchins, thugs and arsonists, unarguably on the payroll of the state government launched an unprovoked assault on the secretariat of the Social Democratic Party/Muri/Abene campaign office in Kogi State, destroying and burning party flags, campaign banners and sacrilegiously, the Nigerian national flags.
“It is no longer news that the Social Democratic Party over the years has suffered tremendous losses in the hands of the ruling party led by Governor Yahaya Bello as it has always posed the biggest threat to his continuity as governor or de facto.
“Maybe a journey down the recent past will juggle our memories a bit.
“During the 2018 senatorial elections, the APC led by Yahaya Bello employed the use of rogue security personnel and thugs to physically assault the then candidate of the party for the kogi central senatorial elections, Barr. Natasha Akpoti, the popular choice of the people then.
“It was under the watch of this government that two supporters of the candidate were shot and killed; her family house set ablaze in Okehi and many supporters maimed.
“The candidate and the party paid codles amounts at various hospitals in Kogi state to manage the injured until they were healed and discharged. Many of them are alive today to bear witness.
“In 2019, the same government under the direction of the same governor meted the party with another gruesome blow when it attacked and set its secretariat, located at paparanda square just opposite the local government secretariat, ablaze destroying property worth millions of naira in the process.
“It was under his watch that thugs loyal to him accosted our then gubernatorial candidate, Barr Natasha Akpoti, and pushed her to the ground during a meeting called by the then commissioner of police in public glare and nothing was done about that incident up till this day. It demoralized our supporters and traumatized our candidate.
“The government ensured that none of our candidate’s posters, banners or paraphernalia flew in Kogi state as all were torn and set on fire. Supporters of the party were physically assaulted and chased from polling units while being disenfranchised.
“During the 2019 general election, the government supervised one of the worst elections ever to be held in Kogi where many lives were lost; Choppers shot at peaceful voters from the sky. Infact, if one was not familiar with the state, one would assume that it was a war theater”, the SDP Scribe said.
Okeme added: “Recently, the governor declared himself a lion while belittling our candidate by describing him as an antelope. He ultimately owned up to almost assassinating our candidate for the November gubernatorial election by acceding to being present on the day shots were fired at our candidate’s bullet proof car where he was seated in the passenger’s seat.
“Today, as has always been the case, seeing that he has lost the confidence reposed in him by the voters and, to a large extent, his party, he has decided to employ violence as a last resort to cow and intimidate our supporters and candidate to give in.
“As usual he has once again reignited his “tatatatata” formula to steal from the people their mandated choice of Murtala Yakubu Ajaka.
“Consequent upon the foregoing, as loyal citizens, we are calling on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to call the commissioner of police in the state to order and immediately have him fish out the culprits of this unfortunate barbaric event, failure of which may lead to our resorting to self help.
“We also wish to call on the president of the federal republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to as a matter of urgency, look into the excesses of the state governor and ensure he doesn’t cause further loss of lives and property.
“It is true that the governor has lost hold of and favor with Asorock as he previously did with the previous government, and this has become worrisome to him as the “federal might” he relied on may not be available for him to abuse after all,” Okeme stated.
“We also call on the general public not to be cowed or intimidated by these actions as this is just a minor setback that will only engender the Muri/Abene campaign to intensify its activities towards liberating the good people of Kogi state from the shackles of their enemies who are unfortunately their current leaders,” Okeme said.
To educate citizens on the economic interventions under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation has commenced a public awareness campaign in Jigawa State.
The ministry urged the public, especially the youth, to take advantage of the opportunities for self-reliance, with the initiative highlighting various job creation and poverty alleviation programs.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Mohammed Idris, represented by Mala Bashir Dahiru Galadanci, Head of the Federal Information Center in Dutse, highlighted the government’s “Renewed Hope” initiatives.
He emphasized that the interventions were designed to change the narratives in the economic wellbeing of Nigerians and provide job and skill opportunities, particularly for the youth, to encourage self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
According to Mr. Galadanci, the administration is committed to addressing poverty and unemployment by introducing accessible programs that benefit citizens at the federal, state, and local levels. He called on the people of Jigawa State to explore these opportunities and support government efforts in transforming the country’s economy.
Jigawa State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Ahmad Tijjani, also called for public support of the government’s policies. He acknowledged that while some recent policy changes have impacted citizens’ living standards, these new interventions are a proactive step toward alleviating poverty and economic hardship.
In a presentation, Professor Ali Siro of the Sociology Department at the Federal University Dutse detailed various federal interventions, including the Student Loan Program, Consumer Credit Corporation, Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, National Youth Talent Export Program, National Housing Initiative, and several small business loan schemes.
He explained the eligibility criteria, repayment terms, and benefits of the initiatives to encourage public participation.
In his goodwill message, the Emir of Dutse, Hamim Nuhu Sanusi, commended the federal government for introducing multiple economic interventions to cushion the impact of new policies.
Represented by Senior Counsellor Alhaji Mustapha Aminu, the Emir suggested a review of civil service rules, urging the government to adjust workers’ salaries and make loan terms more flexible to prevent financial strain on the workforce.
This campaign marked the beginning of a nationwide effort to educate citizens on government interventions aimed at creating socio-economic opportunities and improving the overall welfare of Nigerians.
***Bello leaves EFCC without interogation
The Economic ane Financial ctimes Commisaion has discredited reports that the immediate past Governor of Kogi State Yahaya Bello is in its custody .
Head, Media and Publicity of the anti graft agency, Dele Oyewale in a terse statement on Wednesday indicated that Media reports earlier in the day that a former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is incorrect. “The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody. Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest.
Bello’s media team had sent out a statement earlier indicating that the former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello had turned himself in to
honor the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invitation, following allegations of corruption and fraudulent activities during his tenure.
Their statement confirmed that the former Governor appeared before the EFCC after consulting with his family, legal team, and political allies.
In another twist, indications emerged that Bello, who had initially claimed to have voluntarily honoured the commission’s invitation, was trailed and arrested by EFCC operatives in Lokoja at midnight.
In yet another twist, Bello’s Director of Media, Ohiare Michael said, “Earlier today, we reported the voluntary visit of former Governor of Kogi State, HE Alh. Yahaya Bello to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission office to honour the Commission’s invitation.
“In the statement, we reiterated the former Governor’s great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, and stressed that, all the while, he only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights in order to ensure due process.
“The EFCC did not, however, interrogate him as officials told him he could leave. We don’t know what this means yet. As we write, HE Alhaji Yahaya Bello has left the EFCC office. He was accompanied there by the Governor of Kogi State, HE Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
“Recall that the case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello had been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. The former Governor decided to honour the invitation to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear. “
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has honored the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invitation, following allegations of corruption and fraudulent activities during his tenure.
Bello’s media team in a statement confirmed that he appeared before the EFCC after consulting with his family, legal team, and political allies.
The former governor had been declared wanted by the EFCC over alleged money laundering and corrupt enrichment amounting to N80.2 billion.
The statement reads: “The former Governor, who has great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, had, all the while, only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights in order to ensure due process.
“The case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello had been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. It is important for the former Governor to now honour the invitation of the EFCC to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.
“The former Governor believes firmly in the efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to place Nigeria on the path of sustainable economic development; and supports the fight against corruption in the country.
“It is on record that he was the first Governor of Kogi State to put in place an anti-corruption mechanism to check graft and ensure that the resources of the State work for the people of the State.
“He was accompanied to the EFCC Headquarters by high profile Nigerians.
“It is our hope that the Commission will be as professional as necessary and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Details of his engagement with the operatives of the Anti-Graft Agency will be disclosed later.”
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