By Chesa Chesa
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, on Friday assured worried members of the public that the governorship election scheduled for November 11, 2023, would be the most peaceful election ever held in the state.
“Election of November 11 will be free, fair, peaceful and credible. It will be the most peaceful election. I have supervised many electrons. It will be the most peaceful. We will continue to learn in terms of performance.
“The police and other security agencies will do well. In the history of election in Nigeria, Kogi election will be most peaceful”, he said while answering question from journalists during the 3rd Governor Yahaya Bello (GYB) Seminar in Abuja for journalists covering Politics and Crime.
He also dismissed rumours and reports that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Usman Ododo, who he is backing, is his family member.
According to the Governor: “I have no blood relationship with Ododo. He might come from the same place where I came from. I will boldly say that since I came into government there has been nothing like ethnic sentiment.
“Unfortunately for 19 years, ethnic sentiment has kept us where we were, but the narrative changed the moment I came on board. Today we raise people from different backgrounds irrespective of senatorial zones, ethnic or religious affiliations.
“Ododo won overwhelmingly during the primary election. He is a very compassionate person. He endeared himself to the Kogi people.”
Further reacting to allegations that Ododo was behind the destruction of opposing parties’ campaign offices in the state, Bello said: “He is the popular candidate. How can the popular candidate instigate insecurity in an election where is most positioned to win?”
Aside politics, the Governor disclosed that his administration, through tax on mineral resources, increased the state revenue from N250 million monthly to N1.5 billion.
He urged other state governors to look towards their mineral resources in order to boost their internal generated revenue.
The State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, also stressed that there would be no election-related violence.
He underscored the government’s unwavering dedication to prioritising security and preserving peace in the state.
