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Tag: Bello

  • Why I want Bindow’s job, by Bello

     A governorship aspirant, Chief Emmanuel Bello, recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Adamawa State. In this interview with TONY AKOWE, he speaks on his vision and why he wants to succeed Governor Jubrila Bindow in next year’s election. 

    WHy do you want to be govrnor of adamawa state?

    I was born and bred in Adamawa State and I feel that I have a duty to give back to my community what the community has given me. My community in Adamawa State has given me life, even though we know all lives come from God. Only God can decide what happens tomorrow. No human being can say I will be this. But with God, everything is possible. So, why do I want to become governor? Or why am I even in politics? Look at Adamawa State, for instance, I’m a student of contemporary politics. And I like to refer my political upbringing to the philosophy of Malam Aminu Kano of blessed memory and Sa’adu Zungur, who was the ideologue for the Northern Element Progressive Union (NEPU). I read so much about him. He came from Bauchi. He was Malam Aminu Kano’s teacher. He was a very serious ideologue. He came from the Marxist study group point of view. I link my ideology of life, politics and being to the socialist ideology and the fact that all human beings are equal. Justice is not something that should be negotiated. All people must be treated with dignity. And life is precious. I have an idea of how a government should be formed and run and how a government should implement its policies.

    Adamawa State as you know is a very rich state. We have all sorts of natural endowments that God has deposited in our State. But they are all untapped. Our population is not helping matter. We are growing and lacking correct leadership in these contemporary days, where you need people with innovations and ideas in order to improve the lot of the people. The government of the day in Adamawa has no idea of how to run a government. If you are driving from Yola to Gumbi, where I come from, or you are going to Mubi, Numam, Shelleng, Ganye, and Magadali, you will see the linear settlements. A lot of houses are built along the road. Nobody is leaving in the interior. We have vast land. Almost 72 per cent of our land is unoccupied. People build their houses on linear settlements and the young people are all sitting under the tree. Let’s take an example, you are driving to Mubi, which is about five hours drive from Yola, when you pass at 7am, you will see some young men. Just take note of their clothes and description, when you are coming back around 3 o’ clock, they are still seating under the shade. It means that we are losing manpower contribution to the economy. Every day, our per capital income is not going up. It is coming down. Go to National Bureau of Statistics, you will see what is happening in Adamawa. The growth rate is almost getting to five per cent from 2.6 it was 10 years ago and 4.6 two years ago. So, what is happening? Who is planning our life?

    One of the major problems in Nigeria is lack of proper planning. What are your plans for the state?

    When you go to the United States of America or the United Kingdom, what do they do? People who find themselves in local councils are talking about what will happen in the next five to 10 years. Tell the government in Nigeria that is planning. I challenge anybody. Tell me who is planning in Nigeria, apart from Lagos State, no government in Nigeria has sat down to plan about the future of its people. What is going to happen tomorrow. Like I always tell people, some of the plans which I have, I don’t want to make them public now. The copy cats are waiting for me to bring out that idea so that they can copy me and so, I will not give out any idea now. I will give it at the appropriate time and everybody will know that it is my ideas so that they can vote for me when I finally come out to run because they know I will implement these ideas. But what is important is that if I become governor, which, by the grace of God, I will be, I will ask all Adamawa indigenes that are unemployed to come back home. Those hardworking young men who are doing okada business in Lagos, I will give them jobs. I will create jobs and I will take them. Our total population is 3.7 million of which 35.2 per cent are already above the age of 35 to 70. The rest are the younger people. The eligible age of employment is just about 23 per cent. We can mop them up. So, I know what is on ground and I am preparing and have been preparing for years and I know exactly what to do. But my calling to become governor is not about me, but about the people of Adamawa and it is about giving back to the society. I’m a businessman. I’m a retailer and I  have done very well for myself. I feel that if I can apply some of my ideas and business innovations to governance, I will be able to salvage the situation. I can create wealth for the state which will take care of many issues. It will take care of infrastructure, education, health system and unemployment. If you can take care of these major problems in any state in Nigeria, you have solved 80 per cent of the problems of that state and  it will be a place every Nigerian will like to go, settle and live his or her life.  That is exactly what government should do And this is the reason why I want to become governor for the time being.

    How would you create jobs for Adamawa youths?

    I can create up to 80,000 jobs in four years. But the unemployed population is about 870,000. I have a plan to actualize that and I will release it at the appropriate time. Creating 80,000 jobs in four years for a state government is remarkable. It means 80,000 jobs will create another 80,000 jobs. Job creation is a chain. When you create job for Mr A, he creates a job for Mr B. Mr B creates a job for Mr C. So, the mop-up process has started. That means about one million people who have no jobs will be mopped up into the jobs circle, except those who are lazy and do not want to work. If they are ready to work, they will definitely get jobs. People come with all sorts of ideas that they want to create jobs. But they never give the plans. I have a plan. And at the appropriate time, I will release my plan.

     Do you think you have the support base to aspire for this kind of office?

    I am not the type of politician that people talk about. I am not a typical politician. I am a business man and I do not look at myself as contesting any position for the elites. I am contesting for the talakawas who constitute the majority of the population. Those kind of people who actually need some changes in their lives. I think that I am for the poor people and I will like them to be for me. I am an elitist type of guy. Even though I am hard working and businessman, I feel that I come from the under privileged segment of the society which should be my target if I become governor and I should make things turn around for them. As time goes on, you will see my sincerity in place because people come and talk and immediately they become governor, they will fail to act. God forbid that I should be that kind of person. I will like to be a governor  that will bring about the change that you will be so proud of. I have a name to protect and a commitment to fulfill.

    Boni Haruna may not have become the governor, if Atiku Abubakar was not Vice President. The powers did not want  Bala Ngilari to replace Murtala Nyako when he was to be impeached. Bala Takaya, Boss Mustapha, and Markus Gundiri have also crossed this same road. What gives you courage to pursue this ambition?

    You are here with me. I’m not Bala Takaya, I’m not Boss Mustapha. Neither am I Markus Gundiri and I am not Boni Haruna. I am Emma Bello. So, that is the difference between me and them. The names are not the same and the personalities are not the same.

    The majority is under the rulership of the minority. Can you change the trend? 

    I am not a candidate for minority groups. I’m not a candidate for the oppressed groups. I’m a candidate for the Talaka. I am the candidate for the poor people of Adamawa either minorities or majorities. In every segment of the society, we find people who are under-privileged by circumstances of birth, creed or religion. I am their candidate. My liberation for the people of Adamawa is not about their tribe or creed. But it is about their humanity. All human beings are equal and we all have a duty to ourselves. For the sake of humanity and God who created us, we must do justice to all humanity. So, I am a candidate for justice and for the people who feel that they have not been given opportunity in their own land. I will make sure that those people are not segregated against because of their creed or religion or because of the privileges they lack. Those are the people who are my target and the people I will like to represent irrespective of their religion, creed or tribe. I will ensure that every body in Adamawa has an opportunity to go to school, have a job and have a job and be a bonafide citizen where he is residing.

     How do you intend to convince people to stop taking money from candidates before voting for them?

    Times have changed. I believe very much in the common man. The common man is beginning to know his rights, even though he is hungry. I have told them to take the money and vote for their conscience, vote for the person who will work for you. You need the money to survive.  I don’t have money to give them. So, they should take the money.  Most of this money is stolen money. So, it is their own money. They are giving them back what belongs to them. We will try to do our campaign based on issues. We will try to work hard to convince the common man to understand that he need to defend his votes. I think they will be voting character and individual not party this time around. If they vote character and individual, they won’t vote wrongly. They will vote rightly because the choice will be: who is this person? What has he done in his life?   You don’t consider somebody who just gives out token and  sells out your conscience, life and future of your children. So, we will talk. That is why there will be period for campaigns and talking to people. I will try as much as possible when the time comes to reach as many voters as possible in order to get their votes and convince them on the right thing to do.

    We live in a society where belong to the party of the President tends to swing votes for you. We saw this happen during the last elections. Don’t you think that will also affect the forthcoming election especially if the President is running again. How do you intend to popularize yourself.

    The coming of baba Buhari in 2015 was a blessing in disguise to appropriating the votes correctly in 2019. People have realised that voting everybody on one platform was a big mistake. That is why the new campaign is: you character should save you. They are no longer calling the political parties. If your character is to save you, then it means people will appropriate their votes to individuals. They are no longer going for sak. They were doing sak in the last one, there will be no sak in this particular one. It is going to be individuals. I was in the All Progressives Congress (APC). I left the APC two weeks ago. So, it is no longer going to be sak.

    It will be a question of who you are. If this person is performing, let’s vote him back. If this person is a liar, let’s vote him out.

    Do you sincerely think that the votes of the people will count?

    If you want the country one and not to disintegrate, the votes must count. Already, we have issues that threaten to tear us apart, but God has kept us together. We cannot afford to aggravate our situation further. We don’t have a choice than to allow the votes to count. If we don’t allow the votes to count, it is going to be a bid problem.

    What will be the thrust of your campaign?

    Giving Adamawa back to the people of Adamawa because it has been stolen from them for too long. So, somebody need to give it back to them so that they will,own it. Once they own their state, they will be employed, have infrastructure,,education and pension everything. We are many and the resources allocated to the state and those generated locally is enough to take care of the needs of the people so the state. But because the state was stolen from the people, they don’t have a say in their government. I want a government where the Adamawa people will have a say. I want to have a government where the people will,own the government. So, I want to give them back their state.

    How confident are you that you will even secure the SDP ticket?

    I’m very confident that I will secure the ticket. Secondly, I am very confident that I will win because I’m working with the owner of the seat.

  • Melaye is a noise-maker, says Bello

    KOGI State Governor Yahaya Bello yesterday reacted to a video of Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West), saying the lawmaker “is a noise-maker”, who cannot distract him.

    Melaye released a video on the Instagram, in which he was seen singing, dancing and mocking the governor.

    Bello, who spoke with State House correspondents on the sidelines of the expended National Economic Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, claimed that he had not seen the video as he was too busy to listen to a noise-maker.

    Bello said: “I don’t know there is any such video from anybody; I am not aware. Maybe, you may tell me what the video is all about. I am not aware if there is any such video.

    “You see, Kogi State is a very complex state and I took it over when things were really bad and I am doing my best to ensure that we give quality service to the good people of Kogi State.

    “So, any noise-maker out there is just disturbing himself. So, I just focused on the job as the executive governor of Kogi State and I am doing my best and the people of Kogi State really appreciate my services to them.”

    On the attack in Kogi, he said: “It was a very pathetic situation where about 12 people were killed and I visited that place. It is a place that was neglected by their own people and it was unfortunate that that incident happened and we have constituted Judicial Panel of Inquiry to look into the immediate and remote cause of that attack because this is not the first time that an attack is happening in that particular area.

    “In 2014, it happened where lives and property were destroyed but thank God with the support of the military, police and other security agencies were able to quickly move into action and then that particular incident had been stopped.

    “As we speak, arrests are being made and investigations are on and by the time the Judicial Panel of Inquiry comes up with its own findings and recommendations, l am sure there will be a lasting solution to that crisis.”

    On Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) allegation that the rescued Dapchi girls is an arrangement, Bello said: “I think Nigerians are happy with Mr. President for the good job that he is doing for being proactive and for the quick response by the military and other security agencies in rescuing our Dapchi girls. I think it is a good job that they have done and I really congratulate Mr. President, I congratulate the APC, I congratulate the government and good people of Yobe State, I congratulate the girls and their parents and I congratulate Nigerians.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Kogi attacks: Bello confirms 12 killed

    •PDP blames illegal importation of military gadgets for killings
    •Judicial panel underway

    THE 12 persons were killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen in parts of Kogi East during the outgoing week Governor Yahaya Bello stated yesterday.

    He assured a judicial panel will be instituted to unravel what took place during a spot visit to Oganeinigu.

    He commended the army and other security arms whose efforts he said brought normalcy to the area.

    He condoled with the people, assuring that such will not repeat itself again.

    His words: “I want to assure the people that Kogi State will remain safe; that we will not shy away from our responsibilities.

    “I went into the interland and assessed all that has been reported. It took almighty God and your determination to save the situation.

    “We will as government do all within our capabilities to bring comfort to the families of those that have lost their lives. From what I have got, 12 lives were lost.

    “I want to assure that a judicial panel is underway to unravel and unfold what is behind the events and further to ensure that some basic infrastructure that has eluded the people is provided.

    “And, we make to ensure that this is going to be the first and the last of such attack in Igala kingdom and in Kogi State”.

    A youth leader in the community, Yakubu Aliyu, told our correspondent women and children evacuated to nearby communities were yet to return, adding that the casualties were mostly old women and children.

    Another resident, Ismaila Maji, said that the attack took them by surprise.

    According to him: “As they entered they started shooting at the natives sporadically. Our people tried to repel the attackers but were overwhelmed as they were over 500 in number.”

    He said that the people ran for their lives as the suspected herders continued to fire shots at them with sophisticated weapons, including AK47 assault rifles.

    “They killed about 25 of our people. Apart from that, they also killed about six of our people at Ogbakaka. Some are still in the hospital. The Fulani overwhelmed them.

    “They made away with food stuffs and all valuables, cash and about 45 motorcycles belonging to the natives.

    “There is virtually no young man who is not having a motorcycle. Our people have moved out in droves to neighboring villages. The village has no police station and no health facility,” he said.

    Reacting, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) attributed the killings to the military gadgets illegally imported into the country by the Kogi State government.

    In a statement yesterday by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, the party noted the attack was preceded by revelations of importation of military gadgets by persons allegedly linked to the APC and Governor Bello.

    The PDP said: “In spite the allegations by the people of Kogi state that the military equipment were being delivered to suspected marauders, the Buhari-led Federal Government did not take any decisive steps to arrest and investigate those fingered in the illegal trafficking, particularly the already indicted aides of Kogi state Governor Yahaya Bello.

    “The questions are: why did the Federal Government fail to deploy adequate security to the communities in the face of obvious threats?

    “Why has the Buhari Presidency refused to take any firm step to investigate the illegal importation of military equipment into Kogi state, even when such gives a clue as to how marauders gain access to weapons?

    “Furthermore, why did the APC, as a ruling party, fail to condemn the illegal importation of security gadgets or even caution its government in Kogi state, if it is not also involved in the illicit act that is now being linked to this massacre?”

  • Bello reinstates state, council excos

    Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has reversed the dissolution of the state executive, less than 30 minutes after dissolving it.

    While it was being anticipated that the governor would dissolve his executives on Saturday, he formally sacked the commissioners and 21 local government administrators.

    He directed all affected officials to hand over keys to their official vehicles to the Secretary to State Government, Mrs. Folashade Arike.

    However, less than 30 minutes afterwards, the governor made a reversal, saying all members will continue to work with him. He directed them to maintain status quo.

    Bello announced the return to office for all commissioners and administrators just before the end of the meeting at the Glass House, Government House.

    He, however, demanded better performance and better relationship between the appointees and the people.

    But Bello’s media aide, Kingsly Fanwo, said the governor did nothing of the sort.

    He said: “Neither happened; he only urged government officials to continue to support the laudable programs and policies of his administration.”

  • El-Rufai, Ganduje, Bello under fire over ‘attack on senators’

    El-Rufai, Ganduje, Bello under fire over ‘attack on senators’

    Three governors – Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano) – came under fire in the Senate yesterday.

    They were accused of unleashing unwarranted attacks on senators from their states. The lawmakers said the governors should be called to order.

    The senators took turn to describe what they tagged “despicable and unacceptable politically-motivated attacks on senators in various states.”

    They warned that except the trend was halted; there could be mayhem which would affect the 2019 elections.

    The position of the upper chamber followed the adoption of a motion by Senator Ahmed Ogembe (Kogi Central), who alleged disruption of his empowerment programme.

    Saying that mayhem was visited to his supporters, including the destruction of their houses in Okene, the lawmaker lamented that the Police Area Commander, Okene and the Divisional Police Officer of Okehi and Adavi local government areas were aware of the empowerment programme but refused to rein in the invaders.

    Ogembe said the programme took place on March 3 in Okene.

    He expressed worry that “indeed, political violence, kidnapping, killings, assassinations of my constituents and supporters in Kogi Central have become the order of the day and the police have chosen to turn a blind eye.”

    Hardly had Ogembe concluded his submission when another senator from the state, Dino Melaye, took the floor to speak on his ordeal in the hands of Governor Bello

    Melaye recalled how he was last week arraigned on the order of the Federal Government over alleged misinformation.

    Other senators who contributed to the motion narrated their experiences in the hands of their governors and insisted that Ogembe’s case should be used to cut the “excesses of governors.”

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who also narrated his experience in the hand of a former Enugu State governor said: “I want to tell our brother Ogembe that some of us passed through the route before, but by the grace of God, we are here and those oppressors are at home because it is God that gives power.

    “Sometimes in life, people think they are God. They play God because people have given them opportunity to superintend over the affairs of men. “So, they think that they became what they are by their special power and assume God. But ultimately, God intervenes to show them that they are not God.

    “So, the problem in Nigeria now is that our democracy is receding, and the international community needs to know this.

    “Who says that the Army cannot take over in Nigeria? It is possible. So, let us not joke with our democracy, especially with the way they going.

    Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio was uncomfortable with the mention of military intervention.

    Akpabio raised Order 23(4): which says a senator should restrict himself to the subject under discussion.

    He said: “The mention by the Deputy Senate President, saying, ‘who said that the military cannot take over’. We believe strongly that with the will of all Nigerians and the support of God, that we have confined the idea of dictatorship to the background and our democracy will thrive forever.

    “Never again shall we go into military rule. And that is not even contemplated in Africa, not to talk the most populous nation in the black race.”

    But Senate President Bukola Saraki ruled that Akpabio took Ekweremadu out of context.

    He said: “It is not really just about Kogi State but it is clear from what we are seeing that Kogi is coming to a point where it is becoming a threat to our democracy and we are going to be very serious about it; and it cannot be seen to be defying our democracy because this is not what our democracy is about.

    “For the role that we continue to play in the comity if nations, we must be seen to make good examples to other parts of the world. We must get to the bottom of this; we must take action that must stop this thing from happening, and we must condemn this in the strongest term because this kind of action is totally unacceptable. It cannot be allowed to continue because it just starts with one state.

    “Some of us have been privileged to be governors before; we are almost 20 years in democracy. This cannot be the democracy that we should be talking about after 20 years, and it is totally unacceptable. And we must make sure that we use this opportunity to address the issue.

    “We saw the case in Kaduna State, how a governor can proudly say that he is going to bulldoze a house in Nigeria. At this time… and we are all still keeping quiet. These are things that we must condemn totally.”

    The Senate resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the disruption of Ogembe’s empowerment programme and the role of the police during the programme.

    It said the committee should submit its report to the Senate in plenary in two weeks.

  • Senate to probe Bello’s ‘double registration’

    Senate to probe Bello’s ‘double registration’

    The Senate yesterday resolved to investigate allegations of double registration levelled against Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

    The resolution followed an observation by Senator Mohammed Hassan (Yobe South).

    Hassan said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed the allegation at a news conference. But it was reported that Bello could not be prosecuted because of his immunity, he added.

    He prayed the Senate to look into the matter.

    “There is this story going round regarding the governor of Kogi State. It was reported recently that he was involved in double registration.

    “Some days or weeks after, INEC addressed a news conference where it confirmed the allegation and sacked three of its workers.

    “Now, we are concerned again; it was reported that Bello had been issued another voters’ card from another ward. We are concerned about this, and I think it is very important that the Senate Committee on INEC investigates the matter.

    “It was reported that he cannot be prosecuted because he has immunity, but for the purpose of getting this picture right, I think the Senate Committee on INEC should investigate this and get this matter right.”

    Senate President Bukola Saraki described the allegation as important and directed the Committee on INEC to look into the matter.

    “The issue you’re talking about is important because the stability of our democracy depends on the credibility of our electoral processes.

    “And as such, we must ensure that the processes are always what we can be proud of, especially now that countries all over are looking up to us.

    “I am happy that the Chairman of INEC is here. It is something he could look into and come back to tell us where the issue is.”

  • INEC registration: Bello stirs fresh controversy, picks TVC at his Okene ward

    INEC registration: Bello stirs fresh controversy, picks TVC at his Okene ward

    Governor  Yahaya Bello of Kogi  State, yesterday  triggered a fresh controversy about his status as a registered voter when he obtained a Temporary Voter Card (TVC) at his Okene Ward.

    Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, the Director-General, Media and Publicity to the governor, confirmed this in a statement he issued and circulated among media houses in Lokoja.

    Fanwo said that the issuance of the TVC to Bello was sequel to a form he filled, seeking the transfer of his Permanent Voter Card (PVC) to Okene.

    “The governor had been on the issue of the transfer for long. He is excited it has finally been done by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    “Yes, his card has been transferred to his polling unit at Okene. The governor is a law-abiding leader who will continue to follow due process,” Fanwo said in the statement.

    The issue of Bello as a registered voter before the 2015 general elections has been a subject of public interest and currently in court for decision.

    Bello had registered afresh in Lokoja, Kogi State, on May 23, 2017, but INEC swiftly described the governor’s action as illegal and unconstitutional.

    The commission  alleged that Bello was involved in double registration, claiming that the governor had earlier registered at Wuse, Zone II, on Jan. 30, 2011.

    For their involvement in the governor’s alleged illegal registration in 2017, a senior official of INEC was retired compulsorily from service while two other personnel were summarily dismissed.

    Attempts to get the State INEC office to comment on the governor’s latest action proved abortive as many calls to the mobile phone of the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof James Akpa, did not connect.

    However, The Director of Publicity and Voter Education, Mr Ahmed Biambo, when contacted, promised to call back but failed to do so.

    Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged INEC to  explain the mystery surrounding the collection of a TVC by Bello.

    Mr Dickson Achadu, the PDP Director of Research and Documentation in the state, in a statement, insisted that the governor was culpable having registered twice in Abuja in 2011 and in Lokoja in 2017.

    “INEC must come clear with what is happening and the circumstances surrounding the governor’s double registration, most especially that the governor has been dragged to court, having allegedly registered twice as even being alleged by INEC.

    “INEC must reassure citizens of its readiness to conduct a free, fair and credible poll in 2019 as the governor’s action is making it lose public confidence.

    ” It is unimaginable that having confessed to not being able to transfer his permanent voter card before 2015 and the governor’s second registration held in Kogi Government House, Lokoja, INEC can still participate in the drama that took place at INEC office in Okene today,” the statement said.

  • I’ve tremendous respect for Catholic Church – Bello

    I’ve tremendous respect for Catholic Church – Bello

    Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has expressed “tremendous respect for the Catholic Community”.

    He stated he will not do anything to disparage any religious organisation.

    The Governor stated this in Lokoja through his Director General of Media and Publicity, Kingsley Fanwo.

    He said reports in the media that he disrespected the Catholic Community and its leaders were “another low by his detractors in their desperation to portray him as an irresponsible leader”.

    The governor said: “My statements to the press were well documented. I was critical of corrupt leaders, who have been disconnected from the looting pipes.

    ‘These are the leaders who are launching campaign of calumny against Mr. President.

    “These categories of leaders belong to different faith and may attempt to mislead highly respected religious leaders into joining their antagonism towards the anti-corruption crusade of Mr. President.

    “2019 is a year of determination for our nation and I have no regret leading the charge for the re-election of Mr. President who had given hope to the hopeless in the society.”

    Bello charged religious leaders to join the president’s fight against corruption, insisting that no good religion has a place for corruption and corrupt people.

    “The Catholic Church has done very well in promoting literacy and healthcare.

    “I am quite familiar with a good number of Catholic priests and I know their stance on the issue of corruption.

    “Every church and religion must fight corruption because corruption oppresses the poor and destroy justice and fairness,” he said.

    The governor urged the media to uphold the tenets of objective reportage in order to promote peace and security in the country.

     

  • Bello: A governor and his controversies

    Bello: A governor and his controversies

    Many indigenes of Kogi State are up in arms against Governor Yahaya Bello over what they describe as his style of governance. The governor has also incurred the wrath of his people for supporting the proposal for the creation of cattle colonies by the Federal Government. JAMES AZANIA reports.

    Less than a week after the killing of 73 people and the maiming of others in Benue State by suspected Fulani herdsmen, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, along with a handful of his colleagues, were at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, ostensibly to endorse President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in office. The development drew the ire of some people, who condemned the purpose and timing of their visit.

    A week later, Bello announced that Kogi will support the establishment of cattle colonies in its domain, as announced by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh.

    The minister said that work will commence next week on cattle colonies in states that have indicated interest to establish them.

    He disclosed this during a visit to the Agriculture and Veterinary Complex of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

    He said that the National Economic Council has set up a 10-member committee, comprising the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as chairman and nine governors to facilitate the commencement of the colonies.

    He said: “One of the most topical issues we have today is that of farmers and herdsmen clashes. If we do not deal with it quickly, we run the risk of damaging the harmony and the co-existence of Nigeria as a country. The killings are getting too many.

    “In our attempt to solve the problem, we have proffered certain solutions but perhaps we were not sensitive enough to Nigeria’s fragile sensitivities and suspicions. When we spoke of colonies, we were immediately greeted with reactions that this was an attempt to cease Nigeria’s land and give to the Fulanis to colonise. The intention is not for Fulanis or anyone to colonise any territory. It is to provide a haven for cattle to graze in peace under controlled environments to prevent the conflicts between farmers and herdsmen.

    “Only yesterday, a committee was set up by the Vice President with members, most of them, state governors discussing this matter and resolving that states that are interested will begin work on this matter as soon as next week.”

    While some other states, including Benue, have outrightly rejected the idea, Bello, who had in the past said that the Fulanis, including the herdsmen were welcome in Kogi, agreed to it.

    Despite his explanation for the open arms policy towards the Fulanis, some of the stakeholders in the state, kicked against it.

    Throwing his weight behind the initiative, Governor Bello said that it is being wrongly perceived by segments of the society. According to him, the initiative would benefit farmers, herdsmen and the citizens.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Petra Onyegbule, the governor said the President decided to take the measure to curb the incessant bloody clashes between farmers and herdsmen across the nation.

    He added: “This move will also enhance the security of lives and property of the people of Kogi State”.

    He allayed the fears of residents that communally-owned land would be handed over to Fulanis, saying the policy is not an indirect attempt by the Federal Government to parcel their land to the herdsmen.

    He continued: “To ensure that everyone is carried along, Kogi State through the Ministry of Agriculture will soon be embarking on a series of stakeholders’ engagements to sensitise the people, farmers, cattle breeders and other stakeholders on the implementation of the new policy.

    “Traditional rulers, leaders of various communities, opinion leaders, religious leaders and the entire citizens will be carried along in the course of the engagement, so that we can collectively study the merits and demerits of the policy. The insinuations and speculations from various quarters nationwide that the Federal Government is conspiring to take over communal land and give it to herdsmen are far from true. The planned cattle colonies are for the interest of our people.”

    Worried by the prounancement, the people of  the nine local government areas in Kogi-East petitioned President Buhari, saying that they have rejected the idea of a Fulani cattle colony in Igala land.

    In the petition by the President of the Igala Project, Mr. Atayi Babs, and the Secretary-General, Mallam Musa Haruna,  they outlined their oppositiin to the idea, stating that it will lead to the breakdown of law and order.“Our people, who are largely farmers, are not prepared to host Fulani herdsmen or cattle colony masters in our land,” they said.

    It reads: “Our position is further reinforced by the multiple acts of war and mayhem being unleashed daily on our innocent farmers and hapless law-abiding citizens in their villages, homes and farmlands by rampaging Fulani herdsmen.

    “Mr. President, between June 2015 and December 2017, Igala land has witnessed several incidences of killings as a result of herdsmen violence in several areas, including Ebeje where eight people were killed and farms set ablaze; Agbada/Agojeju, where 19 people were slaughtered; Edede two persons were killed; six people killed in Oganenigu; three people killed in Ojapata; five people killed in Ojuwo Anawo. All these happened in Dekina Local Government Area.

    “The story is not different in Ofu Local Government Area, at Ojuwo Omachi and Akpagidigbo, where the incessant attacks of herdsmen have claimed the lives of over 20 persons. In Abejukolo and Bagana in Omala local government areas, the reign of terror resonates loudly, so much that our people no longer move freely, to and from their farmlands, because of the fear of killings, maiming and rape, with some villages like Ebakume wholly sacked and entire farm produce granaries/silos completely burnt.

    “Despite the brazen nature of the aforementioned acts of criminality by these would-be occupants of the so-called cattle colony, none of them has been arrested or made to account for these crimes, as these heavily armed cattle herders terrorise our land, flaunting their prowess in the handling of AK 47 rifles and double barrel guns.

    “Mr. President, our opposition to this move and the hasty approval given by the Kogi State Governor is further reinforced by the inescapable fact that under your Presidency, murderous Fulani herdsmen have enjoyed subtle protection and favouritism to the extent that these herdsmen, who now treat Nigeria as a conquered territory, will eventually go beyond the purview of the so-called colony to destroy farmlands, maim and kill under the slightest provocation.

    “In view of the above and many more, we the undersigned concerned people of Kogi-East, Kogi State, North-Central, Nigeria state as follows:

    “We do not want cattle colony or grazing reserve in our land. We reject any attempt to convert or transfer the ownership of ancestral lands in Igala land to cattle colony master or owners who operate by killing people, destroying communities wholesale, and destroying farmlands while enjoying government protection from counter attack, arrest or prosecution. We reject attempts to turn Igala land into the next killing field of marauding Fulani herdsmen.”

    In a similar petition titled: “Kogi West Rejects Establishment Of Cattle Colonies”, Senator Dino Melaye, the lawmaker representing the district at the National Assembly, condemned the governor for embracing the idea.

    He stated: “It is not surprising that the governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, will quickly but strangely meet with the Minister of Agriculture in order to make our dear Confluence State as a pilot state for the proposed cattle colonies in the country. The governor’s latest shenanigans is not surprising in the sense that money is involved. The Federal Government will definitely make funds available to Bello to kick-start the pilot scheme in Kogi State.

    “Therefore, as a true representative of the people of Kogi West senatorial zone and on behalf of my constituents, we warn in strong terms that our soil, land, water and air cannot be used for cattle colonies. Let it be clear to all the insensitive people behind the idea that Kogi West will resist the establishment of any cattle colony within our domain politically, spiritually, traditionally and with any means available within the ambit of the law”.

    A community leader from the Kogi East, Chief Alhassan Ejike, called on the governor to jettison the idea, saying it is an invitation to breakdown of law and order, warning the governor not to venture into the establishment of cattle colonies in any part of the state in order to avoid any looming disaster that will follow such an open invitation to herdsmen.

    “You are not the owner of Kogi and you cannot allocate a land that doesn’t belong to you to foreigners,” he said.

    While the governor is being criticised at home, commendation has come from outside, with Governor Tanko Almakura of Nassarawa State described him as a good ambassador of President Buhari.

    He hailed his Kogi State counterpart for upholding the leadership ideals of President Buhari.

    Kingsley Fanwo, the media aide to the governor, said that Almakura gave the commendation while receiving Bello at the Government House, Lafia, saying Bello has been an advocate of a united Nigeria.

    Almakura said: “The visit of Bello and others to Benue to sympathize with the people, was a loud testimony of the unity and peace that exists among the APC governors.

    “Let me use this opportunity to thank Governor Yahaya Bello for standing up for a united Nigeria. He is a governor that possesses the leadership qualities of Mr. President.

    “We are keeping track of the achievements of your administration in Kogi State. Let me tell you that you have made our party proud. You are promoting the core ideals of our great party.”

  • Bello urges farmers, herdsmen to embrace peace

    Bello urges farmers, herdsmen to embrace peace

    Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has urged the people to embrace dialogue and understanding to live peacefully with one another.

    Governor Bello, who spoke in Lokoja yesterday at a security summit for stakeholders, maintained that through dialogue, the government and its citizens can achieve goals.

    He warned that the use of foul language should be avoided as it can cause more harm.

    “I am appealing to the people, irrespective of their tribe and religion, to tolerate one another to live a peaceful life where businesses will thrive. If the government gets it right, the glory will go to the people.”

    Special Adviser to the governor on security, Navy Commander Jerry Omadara (rtd) described the summit as another opportunity for the state to chart a way forward in sustaining the peace.

    Omadara urged Fulani residens to check themselves and fish out bad eggs among them.

    He added that without peace, there can never be robust economic growth.

    The governor’s Chief of Staff, Mr. Edward Onoja, who presented the framework for security resolution, noted that there must be a paradigm shift in the way and manner people handle security.

    Onoja stressed the need to always dialogue to safeguard human life, lamenting that  loss of lives due to herdsmen and farmers’ clashes is not healthy for the country.

    The National Organising Secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders, Aliu Saleh, assured the governor that the leadership of the Fulani will ensure they live and do their business in harmony with their hosts.

    Saleh urged the government to establish peace committees in the 21 councils to tackle issues.

    Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Bishop John Ibenu urged the government to compensate land owners, whose land may be taken for the proposed cattle ranches.