TheCable

Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state, says he is silencing his detractors with solid performance.

Reacting to the allegations of corruption against him, Bello said he is the first governor in the history of Kogi to make the state account public.

He said transparency has always been a priority in his administration, wondering why desperate politicians are seeking to pull him down.

“Governor Yahaya Bello has re-positioned the state to come to terms with the tenets of fiscal responsibility and financial discipline. Since January 27, 2016, Kogi state has joined the league of states that have put their feet down on transparency, accountability, prudence and fiscal-tailored financial management,” read a statement issued on his behalf by Kingsley Fanowo, the governor’s chief press secretary.

“The administration of Governor Yahaya Bello has remained the first in the history of the state to publicly declare the income and expenditure of government with copious references to State Government Accounts at different banks. This is the opium of transparency.

“The ongoing projects in the state are speaking for the government. We are silencing our detractors with solid performance. A number of approvals have been given by the state executive council for more projects to be executed across the state. After four years, our performance would have done enough damage to the sixteen years of locust under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”

The statement alleged that those looted the state treasury in the past were behind the attacks, but vowed not to be distracted.

It said at inception of the current administration, Bello was called a “toddler”, while Edward Onoja, his chief of staff, was referred to as a “kindergarten”, but that “today, the toddler has restored the confidence of the Kogi people in their government.

“At inception, the Governor was called ‘a toddler’ and his chief of staff,  Edward David Onoja, was called “a kindergarten Chief of Staff.’ Today, the governor has been able to save over 1.6 billion naira the “experienced” predecessors were paying to ghost workers monthly.

“Today, Governor Yahaya Bello has mobilized contractors to rehabilitate our roads in all of the senatorial districts. Today, over 200 utility vehicles have been procured for delivery to security agencies to make Kogi people safe.

“The achievements of Governor Yahaya Bello and their own failures have formed a chemistry of hate and a delicate determination of the enemies of the Kogi people to wage a relentless war against the people.

“We make bold to say that every contract awarded by the present administration in the state went through due process. The selling point of our dear party is transparency which is the bulwark of good governance. There cannot be development when resources are siphoned by people who are charged with the responsibility of safeguarding those resources for the common good.

“For the umpteenth time, we wish to reiterate the fact that renovation contacts were awarded within Government House in line with the Public Procurement Act. We have been conscious of the fact that our good intentions must be matched by strict adherence to due process.

“Those who want to trade the destiny of the State and those mismanaged our rainy days are busy sponsoring spurious allegations against a restoration government. We shall not be dampened by the serial idiocy, but emboldened by the strength of the Kogi people and the solidarity of our people.”

Bello also asked the media to live up to expectation, saying while he would not clampdown on journalist, he would not hesitate to press for libelous charges when the occasion arises.

“Ultimately , Governor Yahaya Bello is running a media-friendly government in line with his unassailable respect for the freedom of speech through a free press,” the statement read.

“A free press is a veritable vehicle for advancing the frontiers of freedom and development. On the other hand, an irresponsible press is sad reminder of the dark days of khakistocracy. The governor has no plan to gag the press, but will always demand for explanations when the rules of journalism are blatantly and flagrantly poached.

“As a government, we will welcome constructive criticism, but we will frown at libelous publications against the state government.

“The onus of proof will always be on those who allege. We urge the media to desist from constituting themselves as pawns in the hands of perfidious politicians who are desperate to malign the person of the governor. Our respect for the fourth estate of the realm should not be taken for granted. We will clinically curb the trend of sponsored media attack on our state.”