22nd November 2023
Kogi State, Nigeria – In a significant development, Governor Alhaji Yayaha Bello has reportedly issued queries to eight out of the nine Local Government Chairmen in the Eastern Senatorial District of Kogi State. The move comes in the aftermath of their failure to secure victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in their respective local government areas during the recently concluded Governorship election.
Arewa PUNCH has reliably learned that the affected chairmen represent Omala, Ofu, Dekina, Ankpa, Olamaboro, Ibaji, Igalame/Odolu, and Idah local government areas. The queries are said to be a result of a stakeholders’ meeting with party members, during which Governor Bello expressed disappointment with the chairmen for not meeting the party’s expectations despite being adequately mobilized.
During the meeting held last week, the governor reportedly voiced his dissatisfaction with the chairmen, accusing them of failing to deliver their local government areas to the APC. The governor allegedly questioned why the party performed poorly in the mentioned LGAs, despite the provision of transportation and other logistics for voters.
According to an insider, Governor Bello was visibly displeased and pointed out that the chairmen had allegedly collected additional funds from the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaib Abubarkar Audu, under the pretext of “mobilization votes.” This, despite having received substantial funds from the Government House before the election.
Governor Bello emphasized that the APC only secured victory in Bassa LGA, hinting that the mobilization funds might have been misappropriated for personal gain rather than serving the intended purpose. He reportedly informed those present at the meeting that a questionnaire would be sent to the chairmen, with a mandatory submission deadline by midday on Tuesday.
While the tenure of the chairmen officially expires on December 12, 2023, there are speculations that they may be relieved of their positions before the scheduled date. Additionally, there are talks of the possibility of the chairmen being required to refund the mobilization funds they allegedly misused. The situation adds a new layer of complexity to the political landscape in Kogi State as the aftermath of the election continues to unfold.