TheCable

Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state, has asked James Faleke, running mate to the late Abubakar Audu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 21 election, to stop overheating the polity.

Reacting to Faleke’s allegation that his administration is plotting to use the Department of State Services (DSS) to write a false security report ahead of the supreme court ruling on the election, Bello accused his rival of blackmail.

He said the judiciary would not bow to intimidation, and also regarded as ridiculous Faleke’s claim that there would be jubilations on the streets if the apex court removes Bello.

“Faleke should stop overheating the political temperature of the state. Raising frivolous allegations ahead the supreme court judgement cannot change the already established judicial facts. The supreme court is a respectable and responsible institution and will surely do justice to the case before it,” the governor said in a statement issued on his behalf by Kingsley Fanowo, his chief press secretary.

“I consider the statement credited to the Faleke group to the effect that there will be jubilation on the streets of Lokoja if Governor Yahaya Bello is removed by the supreme court as ridiculous and prejudicial.

“Governor Yahaya Bello is building a state that will be devoid of violence, a united state where our potentials are translated to opportunities for all. We are not envisaging any form of violence in the State. Anyone planning to wage violence on the people of Kogi state should desist from doing so as government has put structures in place to guarantee the safety of the people.

“Since the Faleke group members operate diaspora, they are probably underestimating the acceptance of Governor Yahaya Bello in Kogi State. Contrary to what Faleke is telling the world, especially his Lagos brothers, the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello is working hard to reposition the state and take it to higher heights.

“We know the pains our civil service reforms have caused the workers, especially genuine workers. But the action is necessary to reposition the state and save her from the over 1.6 billion naira she was wasting on ghost workers every month.”

The statement said the administration of Bello remains the most transparent in the annals of the state’s financial management.

It added that the state would remain peaceful and prosperous under the “New Direction Agenda” of the current administration.

“We are not oblivious of the fact that some miscreants were brought into the state to foment trouble in order to create a wrong impression of chaos. The present administration in the state has the capacity to ensure peace and tranquility in order to protect lives and property,” the statement read.

“Kogi is marching forward. We have procured enough facilities for effective security. Projects are ongoing across the state and programmes are ongoing for the youth and women. Having met the condition to access Kogi State fund for SDG projects, unprecedented development will be witnessed in the coming months. The administration of Governor Yahaya Bello is also working to ensure due process in conducting  government business to ensure probity and accountability. We do not expect opponents to be comfortable with our progress.”