.. Governor in desperate moves to secure APC ticket, plans cash splash on traditional rulers. As November 16 date for Kogi gubernatorial election comes nearer, intrigues and political horseracing have taken over the firmament of the state with various political camp making strategies on how to undo one another. The gubernatorial contest appears to be a straight fight between the two dominant political parties in the country, APC and PDP. Although both parties appear to be engrossed in threatening internal crisis and divisions. The incumbent governor and aspirant under the All Progressive Congress appears to be facing the most tasking political challenge ever.
He seems to be fighting deafening political wars from all angles, from his Arc rival, Sen Dino Melaiye to his own party’s infighting. Governor Bello apart from political foes is also fighting against the civil servants that are yet to be paid for months. The governor of recent has coarsely involved the revered traditional institution in Kogi in the struggle for a 2nd term ticket.
The traditional rulers across the state were helplessly cajoled and intimidated into declaring forcefully for Bello to continue. They were arranged from Senatorial zone to another and endorsed the Governor for continuity. The latest information obtained from the grapevine suggests that Governor Bello had perfected arrangements for the royal fathers to visit President Buhari until the visit was abruptly canceled by the protocol of the President on instruction from above. It was learnt that Governor Bello had perfected the plans that would appear like the people of Kogi through the traditional leaders have endorsed the 2nd term ambition of the governor.
The plan which is being spare headed by a close ally of the governor was also meant for the government to splash ten million naira on each first class traditional rulers and five million on the 2nd class category. The source confirmed that over one billion Naira has been earmarked for the purpose. This money they said will be to buy the rights and privileges of the traditional rulers as they are meant to be used for a lot of jobs. The source quoted the close ally of the Governor as boasting to deal ruthlessly with any erring traditional rulers who would not agree or carry out their bidding accurately. Reactions have continued to trail the juvenile approach that the governor is using to run the affairs of state and even in fighting perceived political enemies.
Many people have alleged that the government have been using proxies to stockpile ammunition that are used to intimidate opposition away. Many have expressed worry and concern about the propensity of the current administration to violence and disruption of legal gatherings. It will be recalled that the Senate sometime ago probed the allegation of purchase of military hardware by Kogi state government, an act which was widely condemned.
Credit:Theleak.com