Gov. Bello denies alleged mismanagement of N344bn

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has moved swiftly to deny claims of misappropriation leveled against him by elders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi state who have kicked against his second term bid as governor of the state.

According to Gov. Bello, the state’s finances, starting from bailout funds to Paris Club refunds and bank statements were published in dailies as his administration had been transparent and could not be termed corrupt.

Gov. Bello revealed that and more while responding to questions fielded by State House correspondents on Monday on the sidelines of the induction of new and returning governors at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He also added that his government has been able to achieve infrastructural development, security and many other positives.

“This is what was not done for the state in the past 20 years of Kogi State’s existence before I came on board but under three years we were able to achieve all these successes.

“Probably some might think we were using stones or sand to do all these but this is the prudent management of resources and the good hands that we were able to recruit in my cabinet and in governance in the state.

“So those that are making such comment; it is a strategy; it is either that they want me to perform more or they are simply living in oblivion.

“They don’t know anything that is happening in the state and they cannot participate in state’s politics as it stands today because we are doing politics of inclusiveness or exclusiveness, the way it was done in the past,” he said.

Among other allegations, the elders of the APC said the governor had nothing to account for the N344billion allegedly received as allocation in the last 38 months of his administration.

Read also: After four months strike, Kogi judicial workers set to resume April 29

In a petition to President Muhammadu Buhari signed by the Convener of Kogi APC Stakeholders Forum, Sen. Alex Kadiri described the governor as non- performing and violent.

The elders described the emergence of Bello as an accident which came to manifestation after the death of the elected governor of the state, Abubakar Audu.

On reports that he may leave the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) due to crisis in the party In his state, the governor said, ”I think all I can say about my state is that the APC is not in crisis in Kogi.

”The real elders and the real stakeholders, the youth, the women and people of integrity know that Kogi chapter of the APC is intact and that was why we were able to deliver the state for the President.

”We were able to deliver two out of the three Senatorial seats to our party; we were able to deliver seven out of nine House of Representatives to our party and for the first time ever in the history of politics in Kogi State we were able to deliver 100 per cent; that is 25 House of Assembly members in Kogi State.

“If there is crisis there is no how we could have achieved this.

”So I want to assure you that the APC in Kogi is intact and I remain a bonafide member of APC and as a matter of fact, I rebuilt the party in Kogi State from the scratch to what it is today and we are able to achieve this feat.

”So those that are making certain passes of me leaving the party I think that is their wish and by the grace of God their wish will never be granted,” Gov Bello said.

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