Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has expressed dissatisfaction with certain Kogi political representatives and government appointees for poor and inadequate representation of his administration.
Governor Bello who berated and reprimanded these representatives during a stakeholders meeting on Saturday at the Government House in Lokoja, lamented how his leadership has been liberal towards the leaders but they failed to be the eyes of his government.
He stated that the Igalas would not have been so critical of his government if their representatives, considered investments of his government through appointments and others well-assisted by his administration to emerge elective leaders, had represented his government effectively.
He mentioned some of the commendable achievements of his administration, including the construction of long-abandoned road projects by previous administrations led by supposed sons (Igala extraction) of the soil.
He also highlighted the renaming of Kogi State University to Prince Audu Abubakar in honour of the Kogi political icon and father, a move that others did not pay attention to, he added.
Speaking further, Governor Bello reminded the leaders of how his administration fought hard, lifted them from nothing, and revived their political careers, saying that they should have been good ambassadors of his government to their people without being clouded by personal and self-seeking interests.
He praised the people of the Igala kingdom for consistently standing by the truth and clarified that they were not as racially biased as widely believed.
Governor Bello commended all those who stood by his administration through thick and thin, stating that his government has learned from all its struggles and is ready to work to ensure that there is no repetition of rewarding undeserving individuals.
He called on all sons and daughters of Kogi State, both at home and in the diaspora to put their differences aside and join hands with the soon-to-be-inaugurated government of the Governor-elect, Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman to build a more harmonious and prosperous Kogi State as they have no other state to call theirs.
We must pave the way for good leaders who will come and serve selflessly and represent their people well. Whether at home or abroad, you must learn to speak well of your state. We have no other state than this, so let’s join hands with the government to make it a better place.
The Governor expressed optimism that Kogi would be prosperous, adding that the administration of the governor-elect would hit the ground running building on the already existing achievements and surpassing his time.
He urged the Kogi Governor-elect, Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman, to open his heart and doors to embrace everyone willing to work with him for the betterment of the state.
“I wish you success; myself and my deputy will give you all the support you need. We will guide you and ensure you perform better than us,” Governor Bello concluded.
