Kogi group vows to stop Gov Bello’s 2nd term bid, accuse him of Fulani agenda

The Network of Kogi Associations (NSA), has vowed to stop the second term ambition of Governor Yahaya Bello, saying the governor was out to pursue a Fulani agenda in the state.

The association which is an umbrella body of political and socio-cultural associations in Kogi State condemned the state governor over a threat to dethrone some royal fathers and four Local government Area Chairmen over the alleged killing of 15 Fulani herdsmen in the state.

In a statement by the general secretary of the group, Mr. Atekojo Samson Usman on Thursday, in Lokoja, the group maintained that the Royal fathers and Council Administrators are leaders that could not have supported killings in their areas.

They posited that the governor’s order to the royal fathers “fish out killers of Fulani herdsmen”, was out of frustration of a man whose government had already fallen in the state, adding that his second term bid will be ended.

The group, however, wondered how a governor, who is the Chief Security officer of a state, could take a side to support herdsmen at the risk of other tribes in the state, alleging, that he had empowered the herdsmen more to attack Kogi indigenes.

Read also: FULANISATION COMMENT: Bode George backs Obasanjo, slams Sule Lamido

“By this statement, we felt the governor has taken sides, and as usual, and herdsmen would step up attacks against innocent citizens.

“We understand the difficulty Yahaya Bello is passing through over rejection of his gubernatorial ambition by Kogites as he faces election anytime soon. This is a case of frustration by threatening our royal fathers.”

Going further, the group lamented that the governor had never shown concern on attacks by the herdsmen on various communities that led to scores of deaths across the state.

They warned him to stop playing politics with the people’s lives, adding that some indigenes could no longer go to their farms in the state due to attacks from herdsmen

“Herdsmen attack farmers in Omala, Dekina, Bassa Igalamela and Yagba West on a daily basis now,” the group insisted.

The group also requested Bello to immediately consider sacking his Special Adviser on Security, Mr. Jerry Omodara who had failed in his roles to provide adequate security in the state, adding that people are now living in fear on their fathers’ land in Kogi state.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now