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Tag: Kogi State Governor

  • 2019 Budget presentation: kogi governor, Bello attacks lawmakers

    *Says Buhari displayed uncommon love for Nigeria

    Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello on Wednesday night described lawmakers who made the 2019 Budget proposal presentation by President Muhammadu Buhari rowdy as bunch of poorly trained lawmakers at their youthful age.

    According to him, the troublesome lawmakers are not just self-centered, but bent on destroying Nigeria and its democracy.

    Bello spoke with State House correspondents at the end of the Anchor Borrowers Programme Gala Night at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday night.

    The governor, however, noted that President Buhari remained calm during the provocations from the lawmakers and displayed his fatherly love for Nigeria.

    Asked his reaction to the drama that played out during the budget proposal presentation, Bello said “Well, first of all, two distinct human beings. A father and a gentleman who has the interest of the country at heart, President Muhammadu Buhari has displayed his stuff and those who are selfish, self-centred and bent on destroying this country and democracy have also shown themselves today.

    Read Also: 2019 Budget: Buhari scolds unruly lawmakers

    “As I said sometimes back that when you have a child that is not well trained by his parents, he will constitute a menace to the society. And that is what we witnessed today at the National Assembly.

    “The National Assemblies are supposed to be made of men and women of character and integrity. We’ve seen those who constitute such class of human being today and those that constitute menace to the society in the National Assembly today.

    “But above all, I thank God and thank Mr. President for a wonderful presentation of 2019 Budget estimates and which we all believe will take Nigeria to the next level by the grace of God.” he added.

  • Bello laud Buhari’s anti-corruption stance

    Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has declared the support of the people of the state for the fight against corruption by the present administration in Nigeria.

    The governor in statement issues in Lokoja on Friday urged the Media to support the anti-corruption war of the present administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Read Also:Buhari canvasses economic support for rural women

    He commended President Buhari for his “unwavering fight against corruption,” saying that his administration has keyed into the vision of the president for Nigeria as a nation renowned for “incorruptibility and development”.

    He stated: “A set of leaders held the nation down for many decades; destroyed our public schools, public transport system, public healthcare system and almost endangered our generation with wanton corruption.

    “The leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has restored our pride as a nation. He has made a bold statement to the International community, that we are not all about corruption and that we have leaders who can live above corruption.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari is not just a pride to our nation, but to the entire African continent. With him at the helm of affairs in Nigeria, the world is beginning to regain their trust in our dear nation”.

    Governor Bello thanked the President for remaining undaunted by the “sustained resistance of corrupt people against his administration,” adding that the corrupt people are beginning to “settle in the same bucket to fight Africa’s most incorruptible President”.

    He thanked the people of the state for supporting his administration, assuring them of more democracy dividends in the months ahead.

    “Our administration is working hard to put the right foot forward for the betterment of our dear State. We have made tremendous progress in the sectors of agriculture, healthcare, education and transportation.

    “The seeds we have sown in the past two and a half years are beginning to yield fruits. We have ensured security of lives and property like no other administration in the history of Kogi State. We shall continue to work for the greatness of our dear State.

    “I urge the people of our dear state to remain steadfast on the part of truth, development and transparent governance. We have made a big difference from the years of no-clear-direction”, he said.

  • Dino Melaye is a noise maker, says Yahaya Bello

    …Dino can’t distract me – Yahaya Bello

     

    Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello on Thursday reacted to a video of Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West, saying he has been roundly defeated and cannot do anything.

    Dino Melaye. in the recently released video on Instagram was seen singing, dancing and mocking the governor.

    Speaking with State House correspondents on the sidelines of the expended National Economic Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Bello 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.” he stated

    On the recent 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 People’s 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.

    “By the grace of God such effort is being made to ensure that the remaining Chibok girls are brought back. You will recall that when Mr. President came, probably the APC might have arranged the kidnap of Chibok girls then. So I think those that are accusing APC or our government of arranging such a kidnap are insensitive to the parents, to the children and to Nigerians. We shouldn’t push politics to certain level. So we should congratulate ourselves and I am sure such incident will not repeat itself in the country.”

    Read Also: ‘Assassination attempt’: Court orders prosecutor to appear with Melaye’s case file
  • Breaking: Oyegun, others get one year tenure extension

    Breaking: Oyegun, others get one year tenure extension

    The National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has approved the extension of the tenure of the John Odigie Oyegun led National Working Committee and state executive committees of the party for any other one year with effect from June 2018.

    Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello who briefed newsmen after the meeting which was supposed to draw up a timetable for the conduct of party congresses leading to the National Convention of the party said the decision was taken in line with article 13 of the party which allows the NEC to exercise the powers of the National Convention.

    He said the tenure extension was taken in view of the need to avoid any confusion in the operation of the party ahead of the forthcoming general elections and to give the Asiwaju Tinubu led reconciliation committee to carry out an effective job.

    The meeting which started at exactly 11.06 when President Mubammadu Buhari arrived the APC headquarters accompanied by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and ended at about 2.12 pm was attended by state governors, members of the National Assembly and state Chairmen among others.

    However, the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara as well a few state governors were conspicuously absent.

    The Kogi governor was accompanied by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and Chairmen of the party in Plateau, Rivers, Anambra, Ondo and Nasarawa states.

    The party was silent on the conduct of its national convention and the amendment to the party constitution.

    He said: “At the end of the National Executive Council meeting today, a major decision was taken in line with the constitution of our party. We are all aware that the tenure of the current NWC and the executive members of this party both elected and appointed comes to an end in June this year.

    “Considering the time left for the party to conduct all the Congresses and convention and considering that our leader Sen. Tinubu has been charged with the responsibility of reconciling all aggrieved members of our party, we can not afford to approach the general elections with more dispute and crisis.

    “So, relying on Article 13 of our constitution, which empowers the NEC to carry out the function of the convention, the NEC has decided to extend the tenure of the current NWC and other executive committees at various levels for another twelve months, starting from June 30th.

    “Let me tell you that this will not stop the convention of the party. But to go into elective Congresses is what we are trying to avoid relying on the constitution of our party. As a matter of fact, Mr. President believe in ensuring that there are Congresses and convention across board.

    “However, how would you manage the crisis that will arise thereabout? Let me give you instances, in Ekiti and Osun states, there state congresses were postponed similarly in 2014 ahead of the elections, just two states to avoid crisis talk more of the whole country. So, that is why this decision was taken.”

    Speaking in the timeline for the Tinubu committee, he said “I don’t have the terms of reference that was given to our leader and I want to believe that there is no committee tthat is set up without timeline. So, I’m not in the position to tell you the timeline given to that committee.

    “Also, every member of this committee whether one man committee or multiple man committee, I want to assure you that every members of APC, we are cooperating 100% with our leader Sen. Bola Tinubu.”

    Those who attended the meeting include President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Governors Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina), Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Sani Bello (Niger), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Nasir El Rufai (Kaduna), Abubakar Ibrahim (Bauchi), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Akinwumi Ambode (Lagos) Samuel Ortom (Benue), Simon Lalong (Plateau) and Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo).

    Others present are Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawal, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachukwu, Deputy Speaker, Yusuf Lasun, Deputy Senate Whip, Francis Alimikhena, Senator Magnus Abe, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Sen Andy Uba, Senator Sani Yarima, House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, House Whip, Hon Ado Dogowa, state Chairmen of the party among others.

    Read Also:APC State chairmen seeks tenure elongation for Oyegun, others

     

  • Buhari unstoppable, says Bello

    Buhari unstoppable, says Bello

    Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello has said only God can stop President Muhammadu Buhari from being re-elected for a second term in office, come 2019

    Speaking yesterday in Lokoja, Governor Bello said no amount of gang up would prevent Buhari from winning the next presidential election whenever it is held.

    Speaking during a programme tagged “Infrastructural Expo”, as part of activities marking his second anniversary in office, he lampooned those he said were opposing the president despite his glaring achievements.

    According to him, the president had since his assumption of office in 2015 been working tirelessly to stabilise the polity, despite the challenges facing the country.

    Some of the challenges, he said were inherited, adding that the country has since then progressed under the Buhari administration.

    He said that President Buhari was doing well in several areas, including the anti-corruption, war, insurgency and improvement in the economy, adding that the country’s foreign reserve has increased significantly.

    “God who made Buhari pass through the valley of death preserved him for a purpose. President Buhari would secure another term at the next election.

    “Mr President is boiling them with cold water, suffocating them because they cannot stomach him for eight years, that is why they are crying foul. When the time comes they will know that majority of the people of this country are solidly behind him. So those who are against the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari cannot stop him.

    “If God endorses Buhari to serve his constitutional two terms he does not need the support of anyone to achieve it. Those who ran the country aground are desperately seeking relevance, trying to play God.

    “No amount of intimidation, media manipulation and campaign of calumny can compel the president to abandon his commitment to putting the country on the path of greatness”.

  • Bello extends curfew in Kogi Central indefinitely 

    Bello extends curfew in Kogi Central indefinitely 

    Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has extended indefinitely the curfew imposed on the five local government areas in the state’s Central Senatorial district.

    Kingsley Fanwo, the Director General on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Friday in a release, stated that the extension of the 24 hour emergency curfew which was first issued on Wednesday night was to consolidate on the security gains recorded so far.

    The governor thanked security agencies for their efforts at ridding Kogi Central of criminals and criminalities. He also thanked the citizens for cooperating with his administration to ensure a safer and better State.

    Bello assured the people of the district that their sacrifices will be rewarded with better security in the area to enable them pursue their goals.

    It would be recalled that the governor had imposed a 24 hour curfew on the district in the wake of a series of assassinations recorded in Okene and Okehi, during the preceding week, and some other security challenges.

    “The curfew has been extended indefinitely to achieve even greater results”, the government stated.

    Read Also: Bello launches Kogi GIS

  • ASUU faults Bello over proscription of Kogi varsity branch

    ASUU faults Bello over proscription of Kogi varsity branch

    The Calabar Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has blasted the Kogi State Governor, Mr Yahaya Bello, on his order to proscribe of the Kogi State University (KSU) Branch of the union.

    Bello had on July 19, reportedly banned the activities of the ASUU-KSU branch, saying he was forced to take the decision following the refusal of the lecturers to call off six months old strike.

    A statement signed by chairpersons of ASUU in the Zone, Dr Tony Eyang, University of Calabar; Dr Aniekan Brown, University of Uyo; Dr Emmanuel Ettah, Cross River University of Technology; Arch Ochi Ejimofor, Abia State University; Dr Imeh Okop, Akwa Ibom State University; Dr Basil Onwe, Ebonyi State University; Dr Ogugua Egwu, Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo; and Prof Nsing Ogar, the Zonal Coordinator described Bello’s action as ridiculous and a national embarrassment.

    The statement presented by Dr Eyang to reporters at the ASUU Secretariat, University of Calabar, Monday read, “It has become pertinent to address you on the purported proscription of ASUU Kogi State University (KSU) Branch by Governor Yahaya Bello on19th July 2017, an action that is ridiculous and a national embarrassment. As you are aware, the academic staff of that university after a painfully long period of time without being paid their salaries and entitlements and without any reasonable response from the State Government and University Administration to address the issues, decided within the rules of engagement to embark on a struggle to enforce their fundamental rights. To the shock of the nation, the Governor’s reaction to the crisis was to issue threats and adopt scorch-earth tactics, including the laughable purported proscription of the activities of that branch of ASUU.

    “The expectation had been that the State Government would meaningfully engage the striking lecturers, who have been demoralized and economically harassed, with a view to addressing the sticking issues.

    Instead of this, Governor Yahaya Bello flew off the handle into a whim of dictatorial absurdity by branding the lecturers as criminals and attempting to stop them from exercising their fundamental right of lawful assembly.

    “By purportedly banning ASUU KSU activities, Governor Bello has exposed his lack of understanding of the constitutionality of union matters in Nigeria, which belong to the Exclusive Legislative List. The governor has also shown his ignorance of the fact that he has neither the locus nor the powers to ban a duly registered union or a part of it and its activities.

    “In fact, the so-called proscription of ASUU KSU is an act of dictatorship that is highly regrettable, in view of the governor’s supposed role as the custodian of the constitution in the state. It is a painful irony that a beneficiary of a democratic system, Yahaya Bello, would be the one to take such a tyrannical posture reminiscent of military dictatorship. It need not be touted how ASUU confronted and wrestled the ogres of dictatorship and terror before, armed with its principles and undying vision for a better country.  He should urgently be reminded that his palm kernel was cracked for him by benevolent spirits, and he must not forget to be humble (as Chinua Achebe would admonish).

    “Equally disturbing is the uncritical reception of the purported ban on

    ASUU KSU by the authorities of the institution, who should have been more knowledgeable, reflective and useful in advising and guiding the errant Governor. This is a sad revelation of both the lack of depth and courage in the managers of the University and their poor appreciation of the many sacrifices and contributions of ASUU not only to the development of KSU but also education in Nigeria as a whole.

    “The Calabar Zone of ASUU joins the entire Union and well-meaning

    Nigerians to categorically condemn the scorch-earth tactics of

    Governor Bello and the Administration of KSU, and urges them to constructively engage the lecturers with a view to addressing their unpaid entitlements – salaries and allowances. This will be helpful to all parties, especially the students who clearly understand that the morale of a teacher is low when his entitlements are unpaid.

    “Finally, ASUU is resolved to protect the fundamental rights of its members; and as history has proved, the Union cannot be defeated while fighting a just cause. Governor Bello must mellow and quickly come into the awareness that the academics in KSU are not his slaves, and will never be. Let him retrace his steps and embrace dialogue.”

    Eyang said if Bello refuses to retrace his steps, ASUU “will explore a number of options available” to them to address the situation.

     

  • Melaye’s recall: INEC is wasting its time – Senate

    Melaye’s recall: INEC is wasting its time – Senate

    The Senate yesterday dared the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to go ahead with the recall of Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West), as demanded by his constituents.

    The electoral agency is embarking on an exercise in futility, the lawmakers said.

    The Senate said the various stages passed so far in the process were not in line with laid down constitutional procedures and guidelines, adding that it amounted to a waste of time by all the parties involved.

    This resolution followed a point of order raised against the move by Melaye.

    Melaye drew the attention of the Senate to what he described as “supersonic move” by INEC to conclude work on the recall petitions written against him by some of his constituents, who he alleged were sponsored by Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

    Melaye said: “The score of both valid and invalid votes in the election that brought me into the Senate in 2015 was 118,000 but my governor and his appointees in four days claimed they got signatures of over 188,000.

    They got INEC data base of registered voters and copied in one writing into a recall register and forged all the signatures. As I speak to you, over 120 dead certificates issued by the National Population Commission and these people’s relations and families have sworn to affidavits and these certificates have been deposited.

    “The names of all these dead people appeared on the recall register submitted to INEC.

    “116 of my constituents have sworn to affidavits that their names and signatures appeared in the recall registers and that they did not sign.

    “86 of my constituents have sworn to an affidavit that they were approached and that the government wants to carry out a fertiliser empowerment programme and requested for their PVCs and thereby deceived them into putting their names in the recall register.”

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu cited Sections 68, 69 and other relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution to fault the move. He wondered why INEC is not following the laid down procedure in carrying out the exercise.

    Ekweremadu said: “I am wondering why we are dissipating energy on this matter and wasting precious legislative time on a matter we should not.

    “What is happening in Kogi in respect of Senator Dino Melaye, as far as this constitution is concerned, is an exercise in futility. They are just wasting precious time because the constitution is clear on what should happen.

    Saraki, Ekweremadu

    “It is possible that the Attorney- General of Kogi State has not advised them properly. If he had done that, I am sure they would have applied their time to more meaningful ventures in Kogi State.”

    Ekweremadu added that the National Assembly, in 2010, amended the constitution in respect of Section 69, which deals wit the recall of a lawmaker.

    According to him, the Section clearly states that those who are seeking to recall Melaye are supposed to line up somewhere in Kogi State with him and his lawyers, with each person verifying his signature.

    When they are done with that, they go back to Section 68, which states that the President of the Senate receives from the chairman of INEC the recall of the member. They would also present evidence satisfactory to the House or the Senate.

    “So they need to come back here and convince each and every one of us that they have done the correct thing. Unless they do that, they cannot even give effect to it. So why are we wasting our time? Let us move on and allow them to waste their time,” Ekweremadu said.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki said: “As they say, 10 years is no joke in leadership, the Deputy Senate President has explained the processes. So, let the process speak for itself.

    ”I really don’t know why a lot of efforts are being wasted that should have gone into more important things. Eventually, it must come back here for us to decide whether it is satisfactory or not.”

     

  • Presidency pleased with development in Kogi – Gov

    Presidency pleased with development in Kogi – Gov

    Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello on Wednesday urged the Senate to ensure the red chamber is made up of men of high calibre, integrity and good character to retain its high esteem.

    He spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The governor claimed that Senator Dino Melaye, who is representing Kogi West, was not fit for the Senate.

    He said: “You see, I would rather admonished Nigerians that when a child lacks proper parental care and home upbringing, he constitutes social menace in the society. And if the society does not take steps to check and correct such a child, they can turn into criminal and take into criminality then it will be left to government to check such criminality. And if government does not, such a child can cause a serious embarrassment. That is what is happening in Kogi State.

    Then talking of the Senate, let me rather admonish the Senate that that is an institution that is held in a very high esteem and I think the Senate and indeed the National Assembly is made up of men of high calibre and of high integrity and good character.

    “I think it is necessary that that wonderful House should as matter of urgency and as a matter of fact check any social deviant that exists within them before they could be adjudged birds of the same feather. I know they are not of the same feather.”

    But he said there is no crisis in the state, stressing that Kogi State is living in peace.

    “Projects are ongoing, we are all happy over there, salaries are being paid as at when due and we are making serious progress.” he added.

    On the claim by Melaye that the governor has earmarked N1 billion to remove him, Bello said: “That is figment of his imagination. The good people of Okunland and indeed West Senatorial District have learned from a bitter mistake of not taming and curbing that social deviant and they have decided to take lawful steps in recalling him.”

    He said he was in the Villa to brief the Acting President on the latest development in his state.

    “I came to brief the Acting President of development in my state. We all know Mr. President is taking a rest and the men at the helm of affairs needs to be periodically briefed. He is pleased with the development in Kogi State,” he stated.

  • Bello demolishes suspected kidnappers’ hideouts

    Bello demolishes suspected kidnappers’ hideouts

    Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello Wednesday stormed Okene in the Central Senatorial district of the state, demolishing buildings used by suspected kidnappers, terrorists and armed robbers in perpetrating their crimes.

    Accompanied by the state commissioner of police, Mr. Wilson Inalegwu and other security chiefs in the state, the governor ordered the pulling down of two structures, with more buildings earmarked to go.

    The building of a suspected kidnap kingpin, Alhaji Tijanni Bakare was the first to be pulled down at Oyunkoko ward in Okene LG.

    The enforcement team also demolished the Ahlul-Sunnah Mosque in Inike, which was reportedly hijacked in 2015 by members of the Boko Haram terrorist group and suspected to be serving as operational base for their nefarious activities.

    Speaking at the demolition exercise, Governor Bello vowed to implement the Anti-kidnapping, Robbery and Terrorism law in the state to the letter.

    He warned those that are in the habit of harbouring criminals to repent or have their structures pulled down forthwith.

    CP Inalegwu said it would no longer be business as usual for criminals operating in any part of the state.

    “This is a strong message to kidnappers and hoodlums that they must change their ways. They should work hard and earn a decent living.

    “We want to make Kogi safe so that anyone living here or travelling through Kogi will not have fear of being kidnapped”, he said.