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Bello, Kogi PDP trade words over N10b loan for salaries

By John Akubo, Lokoja
09 January 2018   |   3:45 am
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State has told Governor Yahaya Bello to be prepared to account for all the loans he took on behalf of the people or face prosecution after leaving office.

Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State has told Governor Yahaya Bello to be prepared to account for all the loans he took on behalf of the people or face prosecution after leaving office.

In an interview the governor granted newsmen recently at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, he claimed he borrowed N10 billion to pay the outstanding salary arrears of all civil servants in his state.In a reaction, the state PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Bode Ogunmola, told newsmen in Lokoja that repaying the loans would have consequences on the future of the state.

“They say they have borrowed N10billion. When the time comes, he should show us the book. If he fails to give account of all the money borrowed on behalf of the people of Kogi State, he will face the consequences.

“Somebody will go to prison for this. One day immunity will no longer be there and he will be called to account for his sins in the past.”On the claim that Kogi is for President Muhammdu Buhari 2019, Ogunmola advised the president not to be deceived by Governor Bello whom he said had lost his political ground in the state.

“This is a very critical time in the history of this country, especially that of Kogi State. As I talk to you, we are buying petrol in Lokoja for N230 per litre. In Benue State, herdsmen are killing here and there. In the North east, Boko Haram terrorists are striking and nothing is done to address the situation.

“In Kogi State, people are dying. Is that the proper time for the governor to talk about who will vote for the President in 2019? How can Bello convince Kogi people to vote for Buhari in 2019 when there is hardship everywhere? He should stop deceiving the president just because he is looking for cheap political favour,” PDP said.

In a swift reaction, the spokesman of the governor, Kingsley Fanwo, said: “Transparent people don’t go to jail. Only those who shared the SMSE loans meant to empower women and youth are candidates of jails.

“The administration of 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 PDP explained why it stole the commonwealth of the Kogi people? Have they explained to us why they took loans and stole the bulk. They expended the rest on non-productive projects that are abandoned across Abuja and Kogi State?” He said PDP was desperate to stop ongoing efforts at recovering what they looted from the coffers.

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