The candidate for the Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency under the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 elections, Austin Okai, has emphasized that President Bola Tinubu is well aware of the significant “sins” attributed to the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello………....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE
Okai asserted that both Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) cannot deny the magnitude of Bello’s alleged transgressions.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja, the PDP stalwart refuted suggestions that Bello was being unfairly targeted by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukayode.
According to Okai, the EFCC’s inquiry into Bello’s activities commenced during the tenure of the previous Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa.
The EFCC is presently probing Bello for purported fraud amounting to N80.2 billion during his tenure as governor of Kogi State.
Despite repeated summons from the EFCC to clarify his involvement, the former governor declined to appear, and an attempted arrest at his Abuja residence was thwarted by his successor, Governor Usman Ododo.
Ododo intervened at Bello’s residence in Abuja and ensured his safe removal as the EFCC sought to apprehend him.
Subsequently, the EFCC declared Bello wanted and placed him on a watchlist due to his untraceable whereabouts.
However, Okai emphasized, “Any assertion that the EFCC Chairman is unfairly targeting Yahaya Bello is unfounded; this investigation began under Bawa’s leadership. The APC is aware that these allegations are too grave to ignore, and Tinubu, who receives extensive security briefings nationwide, is cognizant of the serious infractions committed by Yahaya Bello in Kogi State.”
He continued, “We have been assured by the EFCC that this case will not be swept under the rug; the world is closely observing. If Bello evades accountability, then the credibility of the EFCC is in question. Everyone seems to be a legal expert defending Bello’s rights on television now, but where were they when he failed to pay civil servants’ salaries? Where were these advocates when dissenting voices disappeared under Bello’s regime? Where were they when basic infrastructure in Kogi State was neglected?”
“As of now, public schools in Kogi State remain non-functional; Bello has decimated the education and local governance systems. Ododo, who has barely held office for six months, shielding a wanted individual using taxpayer-funded resources, is unacceptable. He is neglecting the interests of the Ebira people, his own constituency,” Okai concluded.
