Sequel to the recent proclamation of Kogi State as an oil producing State, the Governor of the State, Yahaya Bello on Tuesday paid a thank you visit to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Addressing State House correspondents soon after he met behind closed doors with the Nigerian leader, the Governor said it’s a thing of pride to note that Kogi is the first State in Northern Nigeria to assume that status.
He said: “I came to see our father, Mr. President, to thank him on behalf of the good people of Kogi State that today, Kogi is the first Nigerian Northern State to be referred to as an oil producing state. We came to appreciate Mr. President, for that magnanimity, and also to congratulate the people of Kogi state, and Nigerians, generally.
“The fact that we are oil producing today, I want to assure all the citizens of Kogi state and Nigerians that the mistake that we made in the past where Nigeria depended on oil alone, as a source of revenue, today, will not be repeated.
“Whatever is going to be accruing to Kogi state will be used to support all other sectors, the Agric sector, manufacturing, and several other sectors of our economy to ensure that it is going to serve as a catalyst. It’s not going to be just the only means upon which we shall depend, no. We will not make that mistake.”
Governor Yahaya Bello said his discussion with the President touched on the resuscitation and completion of work on the Ajaokuta Steel company located in Kogi.
He said the President had pledged that the project would be completed before the end of his tenure in 2023.
“We equally brought a request to the effect that the Ajaokuta steel company is still moribund. And his efforts in ensuring that he revives Ajaokuta steel complex. We submit a submission to the effect that he should in the life of his administration, be able to complete that Ajaokuta complex.
“And Mr. President received all of these and more with pleasure and he promised that something is going to be done to ensure that Ajaokuta is revived and running before the end of this administration,”.
EFCC’s Allegation
On the recent findings made by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the misappropriation of bail-out funds, the Governor said EFCC’s allegation was not true.
“No Kogi State government’s salary account is frozen. None whatsoever. None of our accounts were frozen or embargo placed on any of our accounts by EFCC at all. I think it’s just a misrepresentation of facts or is a joke taken too far.
“My Information Commissioner and all those that are concerned with the lies peddled by the EFCC, I think they have responded appropriately. And I will urge each and every Nigerian to please go to Kogi State’s website and see. All the facts are there.
“The Banks have denied that we don’t have such an account. And besides that, the bailout fund that we obtained, we appropriated in line with the agreement and understanding between Kogi State government and the workers. And we finished all of these, you know, in the year 2019.
“So first, there’s no N20 billion account, or N19 billion era, no fixed deposit account. So I don’t know where the lie is coming from. I think in the days ahead; you will hear exactly where the matter shall be resolved. That’s why I said that it is a joke taken too far. And I want to believe that the officials of the EFCC may have misled the commission.
“Well, like I said, Mr. President’s fight against corruption has nothing to do with politics. So whoever wants to probably attack my towering name and integrity, because of 2023 is making a mistake. Because fighting corruption should ordinarily have nothing to do with political affiliation or political interest. If you’re targeting me because of 2023, then it is a big mistake because you will not be able to get me”.
He emphasized that the State government will not allow its name to be tarnished because the State had since keyed into President Buhari’s fight against corruption.
“Remember that we will not just allow this to lie low because Mr. President prides himself on fighting corruption. And EFCC is one of the agencies that is being used to fight corruption.
“As a person, I came into this office with my integrity high. And I will leave this office with a higher integrity and all of my names that are ringing bells everywhere across the world today will know that actually I earned these beautiful names, not because of stealing. I will never touch one kobo of Kogi state, I will never and I will never allow any of my officials to do that.
“Today, Kogi state is among the first that has published all of our accounts online. And all of these spendings have been put out there for the whole world to see from bank accounts, to bank statements of accounts, to payroll, and all of the documents are all out there. That is transparency. I think I challenge Nigerians to challenge all of those governors to publish that same particular bailout form utilization. And then you’ll be able to join me whichever way,” he said.
On the calls being made on him to contest for President in 2023, the Governor said he will respond at the appropriate time.
“For 2023, I still say it is in the hands of God Almighty. Nigerians, men, women, youth are all yearning that I should contest for 2023. There is still time to give an appropriate answer when the time comes. And I believe that when the time comes, we are going to give a very wonderful response that will satisfy Nigerians,” he said.
Emmanuel Ukoh
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