Yahaya Bello, the governor of Kogi State, has accused a few members of his cabinet of betraying him both before and during the recently concluded state governorship election. He has also promised to not overlook their betrayal.
During a meeting held behind closed doors on Saturday with members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lokoja, the evidently enraged governor threatened to “cut off” his fingers if they chose to obstruct him from “going far.”
ThisDAY reported last night that an enraged Bello said that many of his purported allies had deserted him by selecting Usman Ododo as his successor. He named specific individuals from the group who he claimed were publicly criticising him in foul language.
The governor insisted that “all of those disgruntled elements” worked against him “after everything I did for them,” and he threatened everyone he claimed had sold him out.
“God punish you all,” I said, “fighting known enemies while enemies within were pulling me down.”
“They said it can’t be Ododo if it can’t be me,” he continued. They were occupied with plotting and scheming against the opposition. They poured more obscenities on them and said, “They called themselves leaders, but were misleading the people.”
He mockingly declared that he knew more than each of them and accused them of gathering and spreading false information about him.
“You’re all shamed,” he murmured.
Bello threatened to deal harshly with the “leaders” if he ever heard them threaten any of their minions.
He singled out a state representative for the National Assembly, claiming that he had been “wrecked” by his brothers before the governor had rescued him from purported financial ruin.
You are now serving your second term as a senator. He said, “You were giggling with us as you walked behind and texted opposing messages to prevent our party from holding a 25% stake in some local governments.
Bello, the governor of Kogi State, used the occasion to announce that he would be sending a “questionnaire” to each of the 21 local government chairmen, claiming that he had outwitted members of his kitchen cabinet who were trying to sell him out to the opposition.
He insisted that “I practically provide everything for them,” saying that “the enemies within causing problems” were the ones who benefited the most from his government.
“Your combined makeup does not make up 10% of who I am. “Shame on you all,” he said once more.Bello urged on leaders to educate their people and show selflessness, and he gave the people of Kogi West the assurance that payback time will be soon.
Bello pledged to reward the Okun people, claiming that they were the ones behind the “Kogi Agenda” and that they “ignored their brothers with fruitless mission.”
Bello stated that the Igala people are wonderful people and that they are neither racist nor tribalistic. Even if the bulk of them are decent individuals, their poor depiction is deceiving them.
“The authentic Igalas I’ve met are not ungrateful people.” People were mislead by egotistical leaders. From the east will come new leaders, Bello predicted.
He further claimed that funds intended for individuals who returned home were embezzled.
Speaking to a state official in a high-ranking position who was present at the gathering, the governor stated: “I cautioned and warned you.” The people among you who plotted and cheated have exposed your true nature to the world. I have my kitchen cabinet covered. There will be new leaders, he continued.
He also gestured accusingly towards a different National Assembly member, saying, “I gave you a ticket and all the support all the way to the Appeal Court.” I was there for you.
“Ododo has come to stay; we will never turn him away,” he continued. He will make it. Thank God, I never made the wrong decision in selecting Ahmed Ododo. Envision authority falling into the hands of traitors.
“I raised them from the ground up and battled for them, but they betrayed me in return. I’m doing my hardest; at the grassroots, you guys gave the wrong impression of who I am. We will see new leaders emerge!
Reiterating his pledge to uphold the unity of the state, he pointed out that he has made openness the guiding principle in allocating the benefits of democracy to the populace.
He praised God and President Bola Tinubu for their assistance in the APC’s triumph in the governorship race on November 11 and emphasised that the party and its nominee, Ododo, “won the election clean and clear.”Over the past seven years, there have been many ups and downs in the journey. However, we give thanks to God for the decisive win. Despite all the challenges prior to, during, and following the election, the APC emerged victorious.
“It is now time for each person to bear his own cross. There is yet hope, so everyone will carry on his father’s name,” he declared.He emphasised that while Kogi State must grow into a single, cohesive state, no tribe should ever believe they can elect their own governor without the cooperation of other tribes.
“I won in 2019 without any ethnic prejudice. I asked that we refrain from having tribal feelings prior to the election and issued a warning against them. I had high hopes for the APC’s victory in the governorship race on November 11. He continued, “I warned about sentiments because I wanted it to be a beautiful win.
But according to Bello, people let their feelings and narrow-minded, personal interests cloud their judgement.
