Thousands of Kogi youths storm Fed High Court, Abuja in solidarity with ex-Gov Bello as parties await CJ's decision on case transfer to Lokoja

At resumed trial of immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alh Yahaya Bello thousands of Kogi Youth and Women stormed Federal High Court in Abuja in solidarity with him over his ongoing trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission under Justice Nwite for charges bordering on alleged misappropriation of 80.2bn and other charges filed against former Governor Yahaya Bello which allegedly occurred during his stay as Governor of Kogi state.

The Youths who came in thousands occupied the entire parking lots beside the Federal High Court singing songs of support and solidarity. They insisted that Yahaya Bello raised bar of leadership and brought development to the state. They argued that the charges against the former governor were trumped up politically induced persecution intended to bring down the rising political profile of the former Governor.

Speaking on behalf of the supporters, Alewo Idakwoji, Secretary General, Kogi Youth Leaders Forum says it is shameful for an institution like EFCC to make charges and claims that are not correct and are far from truth. He argued that it is unthinkable for EFCC to accuse Bello of stealing 80.2bn in February 2016 when the entire federal allocation to the state was less than 40bn and entire budget of the state in same year was less than 70bn.  Mr Idakwoji says it is also an unpardonable error for EFCC to earlier claim that Bello stole money in August or September 2015 when he was actually sworn in January 2016. He said the commission clearly showed it was not prepared for the case when they amended charges and dates as if it was in a haste to persecute.

Mr Alewo Idakwoji says Yahaya Bello made Kogi people proud with his sterling performance as Governor and received several awards in transparency and accountability including that of world bank. He said Yahaya Bello is only an intimidation to politicians who are bad losers.

At the court session, the former Governor who was absent in court however requested through a letter to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for a transfer of his prosecution to Kogi court since the alleged accusations took place in Kogi state. Through his counsel, he prayed the court to await the decision of the Chief Judge in order for the matter to continue uninterruptedly, a development the EFCC’s counsel staunchly opposed.

The trial judge have adjourned the matter till 17th July, 2024 for ruling on request by EFCC lawyer to pronounce sanctions on Bello’s counsel for failure to produce him in court

Chief James Faleke thanks teeming supporters in Kogi for voting Tinubu, attends Ekirin-adde Cultural day in grand style.

Chief James Abiodun Faleke, Chairman, HOR committee on finance, representing Ikeja Federal Constituency on Saturday thanked the teeming supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State for voting for the party’s presidential candidate Bola Tinubu in the state.

Hon. Faleke during the thank you tour said President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the brain and capacity to galvanize Nigeria and propel it forward to a greater height to be a pride of Africa.

Chief Faleke was welcome by a large crowd of teeming supporters in Kabba and his home town Ekinrin Adde in Ijumu Local Government Area.

During his visit to His Majesty, Oba Anthony Bamigbaiye Idowu, the Olu Adde of Ekinrin Adde , the high ranking lawmaker said he has only come to thank the people for voting Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC in the state, he said despite not a member representing the state, the people still listen to him and voted APC.

He assured that the ongoing economic challenges being faced by the people will soon come to an end.

He said the President has assembled brains that will bring an end to the economic challenges such as inflation and scarcity.

He urged the people in Kogi to embrace agriculture and return back to farm. He said scarcity of food will only end when the people return to farm to produce what we eat. 

So, we thank all those who voted, supported, and prayed for Tinubu in Kogi and Nigeria as a whole.

The President will not disappoint you.

Culminating the thank you tour is the Ekinrin- Adde cultural festival day and the annual New Yam Festival, as Custom and Tradition demands, Chief James Abiodun Faleke also celebrated the Ekinrin-Adde day in grand style with his people, friends, well-wishers and supporters in his home town.

The Ekinrin-Adde Traditional Council and the Development Association also conferred a GRAND STAR award on Chief James Abiodun Faleke for his numerous contributions and support to Ekinrin-Adde community, Okunland and Kogi State at large.

Personalities who honoured Chief Faleke with visits at his residence in Ekirin-Adde includes the Kogi State Deputy Governor, Salifu Joel Oyibo, Kogi West Senator, Hon. Sunday Karimi, member HOR Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu fed Const., Hon. Salman Idris, members of state house of assembly from Kogi West ably led by the honourable speaker, Hon Aliyu umar yusuf, APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Hon Duro Meseko, Vice Chancellor, Federal University Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, Elelu of Mopa, HRM Muyiwa Ibeun, Obaro of Kabba, HRM Oba Solomon Owoniyi, Local government caretaker chairmen and host of other important dignitaries from Lagos and neighboring states

It was like a carnival, as different dance groups danced to the admiration of the guest.

Congratulations the true son of Ekinrin-Adde.

KOGI GOVERNANCE: Forum of Special Advisers elect Media Expert, Bode Adeyemi, Former LGA Chairman, Hon Onoja, Former APC State Chairman, Haddy Ametuo, Former NLC Chair, Onu Edoka, others as forum Excos

The Forum of Special Advisers to the Governor of Kogi State, Alh Ododo Ahmed Usman on Thursday elected fresh leadership to serve the first tenure of the Governor in piloting affairs of all Special Advisers to the Governor in the state.

At her inaugural meeting, the forum in a well attended forum deliberated on a number of important issues before going ahead to elect new leadership to pilot the affairs of the forum.

In a unanimous decision, the forum elected immediate past Special Adviser to the former Governor Yahaya Bello on Civil Service and Labour Matters, now Special Adviser on Energy Matters to the current Governor, Omoluabi Bode Adeyemi from Kabba/Bunu LGA to serve as the Chairman of the noble forum.

The nomination of Omoluabi Bode Adeyemi was made by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Multimedia, Hon Nda Aaron and seconded by the former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and former Spokesperson to the former Governor Idris Wada, who is currently the Special Adviser to Governor on Communication, Hon Jacob Edi from Bassa LGA.

While nominating and seconding, the duo describe Omoluabi Bode Adeyemi as an energetic goal-getter who has the cognate experience to steer the affairs of the forum for success and deliver on the mandate of the office.

The forum also elected Hon James Onoja, who is a former Chairman of Igala/Mela/Odolu LGA as the Secretary of the forum while Dr Sandra Mimi from Ajaokuta LGA, Special Adviser to the Governor on State Emergency Management was elected as the APC Treasurer of the forum, Hon Sandra Mimi is a former Senior Special Assistant to Her excellency wife of former Governor Yahaya Bello.

Others appointed are Social media influencer, Frontline Political analyst and former Special Adviser to former Governor, Hon Nda Aaron, Organizing Secretary, Hon Eunice Achimugun  elected as the Public Relations Officer, Hon Ovosi Adabars as the Welfare Secretary.

Three persons were elected to serve as the Elders of the forum owing to their age, wealth of experience and contact, they are Former APC State Chairman and Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Hon Haddy Ametuo from Kogi Central, immediate past Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Onu Edoka from Kogi East and immediate past Deputy Majority Leader of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon Ndako from Kogi West.

In his acceptance speech, newly elected Chairman of the forum, Hon Omoluabi Bode Adeyemi says the new responsibility placed in his hand is not entirely that of leadership but an opportunity to serve the state through the forum and promised never to let them down. The Chairman emphasized that the essence of the forum is to create an enduring platform and framework for better service delivery by all the Special Advisers to the Governor.

He noted that Governor Ododo Ahmed Usman is the Chief Servant of the state, hence the Special Advisers must take a cue and join in the agenda to serve the people well.

He promised to adopt open door policy and assure the Governor that the forum will not disappoint him

Eid-el Kabir: Hon. Salman Idris Visits VP Kashim Shetima

Member Representing Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Arc Salman Idris visits the Vice President of Nigeria, HE Kashim Shettima in Maiduguri today.

Hon Salman along with members of the House Committee on North East Development Commission were in Maiduguri for an oversight function.

They used the opportunity to pay Sallah Homage to the vice president while also discussing issues of national importance.

Eid el Kabir: Hon. Meseko urges Nigerians to embrace peace, unity and sacrifice

 

Hon. Meseko Extends Eid el Kabir Greetings to Muslims

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Durosinmi Meseko, has extended warm felicitations to Muslims across the country on the occasion of Eid el Kabir. 

In a statement released today, Meseko urged Muslims to embrace the spirit of the festival, which encapsulates peace, unity, and sacrifice. 

He called on Nigerians to use the occasion to reflect on the importance of love, compassion, and tolerance in building a stronger and more united nation.

"Eid el Kabir is a time for reflection, gratitude, and celebration," said Meseko. "It is a time to remember the sacrifices of Prophet Ibrahim and to reaffirm our commitment to the values of peace, unity, and brotherhood."

He further emphasized the need for Nigerians to work together to overcome the challenges facing the country, urging them to embrace dialogue and understanding in resolving differences.

"As we celebrate this joyous occasion, let us also remember the less privileged in our society and extend a helping hand to those in need," Meseko added.

The APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary concluded his message by wishing all Muslims a happy and peaceful Eid el Kabir celebration.

Eid el Kabir: Hon. Meseko urges Nigerians to embrace peace, unity and sacrifice

Hon. Meseko Extends Eid el Kabir Greetings to Muslims

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Durosinmi Meseko, has extended warm felicitations to Muslims across the country on the occasion of Eid el Kabir. 

In a statement released today, Meseko urged Muslims to embrace the spirit of the festival, which encapsulates peace, unity, and sacrifice. 

He called on Nigerians to use the occasion to reflect on the importance of love, compassion, and tolerance in building a stronger and more united nation.

"Eid el Kabir is a time for reflection, gratitude, and celebration," said Meseko. "It is a time to remember the sacrifices of Prophet Ibrahim and to reaffirm our commitment to the values of peace, unity, and brotherhood."

He further emphasized the need for Nigerians to work together to overcome the challenges facing the country, urging them to embrace dialogue and understanding in resolving differences.

"As we celebrate this joyous occasion, let us also remember the less privileged in our society and extend a helping hand to those in need," Meseko added.

The APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary concluded his message by wishing all Muslims a happy and peaceful Eid el Kabir celebration.

Corruption Fight: Kogi didn't get half of #80.2bn as allocation in 2016, ethnic jingoists misleading you, Kogi indegenes tell EFCC

Indigenes of the North Central state under the aegis of Kogi Indigenes Assembly (KIA) have cautioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission not to be Led astray by ethnic jingoists that are on mission of vendetta against former Governor Yahaya Bello. The group took a swipe at political activist, Comrade Usman Okai Austin for accusing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC of being slow in the prosecution of former governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello accused of N80.2bn fraud. 

Usman Okai also went ahead to say the confidence of the people in EFCC is waning. 

However, this position did not go down well with KIA which believes that Usman Okai has jettisoned logic and common sense and acting on ethnic-induced hate, prejudice and sheer pull-him-down syndrome against Yahaya Bello. 

In a release on Friday, Kogi Indigenes Assembly through its President, Dr. Ben Oguche urged the anti-corruption agency to ignore Usman Okai who he described as a serial political failure who is still nursing the injuries of multi-layered failure in several endeavours of life. 

According to him, Usman Okai signposts a tiny voice from one ethnic group in Kogi calling for Yahaya Bello’s head, which he said is not as a result of love for the state but desperation to see that the former governor goes down. 

"We want to make it clear to Mr. Usman Okai Austin and his tribesmen who dine in the table of hate prepared in the coven of ethnic jingoism that the country's legal system is such that people are not pronounced guilty while they struggle to prove their innocence. 

"Every accused person is innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately, our brothers have allowed their common sense of reasoning to be dwarfed by undue hate against a man whose offence is serving his people with utmost diligence and honesty. 

"They are campaigning for persecution as against prosecution of Bello. They want to see him go down to satisfy their deep-rooted biases and predisposition. 

"The question that has never been answered by these voices of anger is, where was N80.2bn to be stolen in Kogi State in 2016? The state did not receive half of the sum said to have been embezzled. 

"The State only received the sum of N39bn as allocation in 2016. Therefore the said N80.2bn only exists in the figment of imagination of those parading the fake narrative. Even the state's budget for the year was N70bn.

As far as we know, the activities of Austine Okai,  Barr Okutepa SAN and certain persons in their class only reflect a gang of ethnic jingoists on a mission for vendetta for tribal reasons which is far from what EFCC represent.

"We also want to remind Usman Okai and his brethren that former governor Yahaya Bello stands as the only Governor to have a returned unspent money back to World Bank, in demonstration of integrity and transparency. 

"This was also acknowledged and applauded by World Bank in a commendation letter sent to GYB. 

"Additionally, former Governor Yahaya Bello also received an award of Transparency and Accountability in governance in 2021 and 2022 from World Bank", he stated. 

The Kogi indigenes therefore called on those calling for extra-judicial means to prosecute Yahaya Bello to have a rethink, noting that at a time when Nigeria's human rights record is a subject of global concern, the country must not do anything that will worsen its worrisome record.

APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Hon Meseko Congratulates Nigerians On Democracy Day 2024

Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Hon Meseko Congratulates Nigerians On Democracy Day 2024

Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Durosinmi Meseko has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Nigerians on the auspicious occasion of Democracy Day 2024.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Meseko lauded the resilience and determination of Nigerians in upholding democratic values and principles. He noted that the country’s democratic journey had been marked by challenges, but the unwavering commitment of its citizens had ensured its continued progress.

“As we celebrate this significant day, let us reflect on the sacrifices made by our heroes past and present to secure our democracy,” Meseko said. “Their legacies inspire us to continue working together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and united Nigeria.”

Meseko urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in their support for democracy and to actively participate in the electoral process. He emphasized the importance of peaceful and credible elections in ensuring the stability and growth of the nation.

The APC’s Deputy Spokesperson reminisced on the hope that June 12 epitomized, the dashed expectations and promise of a prosperous Nigeria, the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Let us all resolve to uphold the tenets of democracy, promote tolerance, and foster unity among ourselves,” Meseko admonished. According to him, “Together, we can build a Nigeria that we can all be proud of.”