Kogi Central Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has described the State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello as ‘hostile, puerile arrogant and a deadly dose to democracy.’
The opposition party group bemoaned the death threat coming from a Chief Security Officer of a State, stressing that Bello’s excesses should be cut to size, without which it would be dangerous to the nation’s democracy.
The group in a statement sent to CAPITAL POST on Thursday, averred that Bello threw caution to the wind by issuing death threat to political rivals in the Kogi Central Senatorial district and the State at large.
Bello was quoted to have attended an occasion at the Technical College, Ihima in Kogi Central Senatorial district where he issued death threat to his political rivals ahead of 2023 general election.
Part of the statement noted: “We note with utter dismay the statements made by the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello while addressing the people of Ihima and other guests at the Technical College, Ihima, Kogi State, on Sunday, 4th September 2022.
“The governor threw caution to the wind by issuing threats to his political rivals in a manner unbefitting of the holder of that office in a democratic and free society.
“In his characteristic manner, he turned the entire occasion into an avenue to issue death and security threats to his perceived political opponents in Ebiraland.
“Whereas we condemn in its totality the vile, evil and destructive utterances of Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, we enjoin the security agencies, the international community, the civil society and all peace-loving people to wade into the matter in order to check the excesses of the governor and to save the good people of Kogi Central from the calamity that he is capable of unleashing on them.
“If left unchecked, the utterances of the governor are capable of plunging Kogi Central and indeed the entire state into chaos.
“Time and time again, he has demonstrated his love for violence which, combined with his puerile arrogance, is a deadly dose of disaster that portends danger for the country, especially at a time when the prayer on the lips of well-meaning Nigerians is for peace and security to prevail over the current challenges that the country is grappling with.
“That such reckless statement would emanate from a supposed Chief Security Officer of Kogi State leaves much to be desired.
“Ordinarily, anyone holding such a position ought to be one leading the charge for peaceful conduct as against one who instigates crisis by making divisive remarks which are capable of overheating the polity. But that is not the case in Kogi State and we as concerned citizens will not fold our arms will the peace and security of our people being threatened.
“This remark was captured in video which has since gone viral. In that video, he was also heard saying that act with “fierce fire” and that those refusing to heed to his calls will be dealt with.
He also made utterances claiming that:
“if I cannot do it so that we win all our positions one hundred per cent when the time comes, when we shall handover to the person we like, then that is failure and I am not a failure…”
And then he threatened that:
“I will make anyone who is against me to go and meet with my mother in the grave and be running errands for her.
Without a doubt, these statements are a reflection of the kind of person who the governor is.
“The violence that was unleashed against the members of the PDP during the 2019 general elections is still fresh in our memory and we will not stand aside and do nothing while the same is being threatened all over again.
“The PDP is appalled by such incitement to violence, uncouth mannerism, diatribes, and dictatorial grandstanding, which is not even associated with military regimes.
“The verbal diarrhea and reckless utterances spewed out in the viral video are nothing but a disgrace to humanity in the 21st century and should be condemned by all well-meaning people.
“We urge His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari to cause an investigation into the threats made by the governor and to also call him to order for the sake of peace and for the protection of the lives of the innocent citizens who reside in Kogi Central.
“We urge the president to order the Inspector General of Police to commence an investigation into the evil machinations of the governor, specifically with respect to his threats that “2023 will be hot” which has been captured on video tape.
“The PDP in Kogi State and the Campaign Council for Kogi Central hereby admonishes its members, supporters and the general public, which the ineptitude of the Bello-led APC have driven into penury and pains, to remain law-abiding and to go about their lawful business without any fear and remain undaunted in their resolve to vote out the APC come 2023.
“We urge the security agencies to take the necessary steps to protect the lives and property of our people whose only crime is electing to exercise their rights under the laws of the land.”
