The Kogi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised alarm over an alleged plot by the state Governor, Yahaya Bello, to unleash a killer squad on opponents ahead of the 2023 general elections.
State Chairman of the PDP, Engr. (Dr.) Sam Uhuotu, raised the alarm at a media briefing in Abuja, on Friday.
He said, “Our attention has been drawn to the crude, sad and disturbing video clip making the rounds on various social media platforms wherein the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello was busy inciting his supporters to unleash violence on opposition parties during the forthcoming 2023 General Elections.
“The Governor issued this threat on Sunday the 4th of September, 2022 at Ihima, Kogi State while addressing his party faithful’s and loyalists
“In the video, Governor Bello was heard issuing terrorism threats in which he said, ’I will personally light a fierce fire in my hand whoever want it we shall use it to burn them, whoever survive it will thank God… Whoever is against us we will make him or her join my (late) mother and lie with her (my mother) in grave.”
Uhuotu explained that ordinarily, the PDP would not condescend so low as to join issues with “bullies and traiters” but that party members are worried that Yahaya Bello who is supposed to be the Chief Security Officer of the State, protecting lives and property has become a bully and a traitor who threatens the innocent people of the state he took an oath to protect, thereby creating an atmosphere of fear and tension. of breach of public peace, truncate the 2023 electoral process and derail our democracy.
He further said, “The brazen threat by Governor Yahaya Bello raises apprehensions in the public space of the existence of a killer squad established to inflict violence on Nigerians ahead of the 2023 general elections.
“The posture and body language of Yahaya Bello since he assumed office in 2016 leaves no one in doubt as to the gruesome killings and sudden disappearance of several PDP Party faithful’s in Kogi State.
“The sad narrative of a Woman Leader, Mrs. Salome Abu who was burnt alive in her house during the 2019 Governorship Election, the sudden disappearance of Hon. Adelabu Musa, the PDP Chairman of Okene Local Government Area for over 3 years and still counting, several attacks on the PDP family during meetings especially at the ward levels are very much instructive on the attitude of Governor Yahaya Bello towards the opposition parties in the State.“
Uhuotu noted that the PDP is aware of Yahaya Bello’s uncivilized strategies to instill fear and tension in the hearts of right thinking Kogites who are resolved to send him and his cohorts out of the Lugard House come 2023.
He urged members and supporters of the PDP and the good people of the state to remain steadfast in their resolve to kick out bad governance in Kogi State.
The PDP appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, to immediately call Governor Bello to order and place him and his supporters on security watch list ahead of the 2023 General Elections.
The Party equally urged the Inspector General of Police to immediately commence a comprehensive investigation into the activities of Governor Bello, with a view to nipping this ugly trend in the bud as well as prosecuting him at the end of his tenure as Governor of Kogi State.
