By Oyibo Salihu
Lokoja
Kogi state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned Governor Yahaya Bello to watch it on his handling of state finances or be ready to go to jail after his tenure.
The opposition party was reacting to the governor’s loan of N10 billion borrowed to upset outstanding workers’ salaries.
PDP Publicity Secretary in the state, Mr Bode Ogunmola, raised this concern in a statement in Lokoja yesterday during an interview with newsmen.
Reacting to the statement credited to governor Bello that he borrowed N10 billion to pay outstanding salaries owed workers, Ogunmola expressed worries on the consequences of such loan on the future of the people of the state, saying the governor’s eye would open when he runs out of immunity.
According to him; “For anybody to say they have borrowed N10 billion to settle salaries, when the time comes he should show us how and when he borrowed the money. By the grace of God, whenever we get to the bridge all of us will be alive to witness it. When he fails to give account on all the money being borrowed on behalf of the people of Kogi state, then he will face the consequences.
“I can assure you that somebody will go to prison for this because one day immunity will no longer be there and he will be called to account for his sins.”
Commenting on the statement that Kogi state is for President Muhammdu Buhari come 2019, Ogunmola urged the President not to be deceived by the political antics of Yahaya Bello, saying he has lost his ground in the state.
“This is very critical and terrible time in the life of this country, especially that of Kogi state. As I talk to you now, we are buying petrol in Lokoja between N230 and N300 per litre. In Benue State, herdsmen are killing here and there. In the North East, Boko Haram insurgents are striking and nothing is done to address the situation.
“Bello knows himself that in his country home which is the central part of the state, he can’t deliver votes for Buhari. Workers are dying due to lack of payment of salary. As it is today, pensioners are crying because of lack of payment of entitlement. And the governor will go to Abuja and begin to tell the world who will vote more for the President. As far as we are concerned, during election time, we will know who is on ground.”
Reacting, the Director General, Media and Publicity to the governor, Kingsley Fanwo said transparent people don’t go to jail, but those who shared the SMSE loans meant to empower women and youth are candidates of jails.
According to him; “The administration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello has displayed glowing transparency and cherubic financial probity since inception.
“Financial bumps are erected in the financial management system in the state to ensure compliance with global best practices. Where were the PDP leaders when we published what we have received and how we have judiciously used our incomes?
“Has Kogi state chapter of PDP explained why it stole the commonwealth of the Kogi people? Have they explained to us why they took loans and stole the bulk of them while expending the rest on non-productive projects that are abandoned across Abuja and Kogi state?”
