2023: Don’t use Kogi State funds to hire crowd – PDP warns Gov. Bello

The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), has berated Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State over his presidential ambition, insisting that the Governor is embarking on a futile mission ahead of the 2023 election.

PDP, in a statement signed by the party‘s Director, Media and Communications, in Kogi, Dayo Onibiyo, on Monday said Governor Bello will account for every kobo of the state money spent on his presidential ambition.

Onibiyo, while making reference to the statement credited to Governor Bello that he will declare his ambition to vie for the APC presidential ticket on the 2nd of April 2022, warned that the State funds should not be used to hire a crowd since his ambition is a personal assignment and not the states’.

The statement reads “We are aware that, on Saturday 2nd of April, 2022 at the Eagle Square, Mr. Yahaya is proposing to declare his ambition to vie for APC presidential ticket and to that effect. We know the state’s lean resources will suffer for it, as plans are in top gear to mobilize all manners of people from everywhere they can get them paid, to try and make it look like they have come to willingly support Yahaya with their own funds.

“This plan to bring all sorts of human beings to the venue is aimed at telling people that he (Yahaya) is on ground, and this is heavily on state purse. While we wish him well in his travels, we are quick to remind him that the state funds are not meant for such personal pursuit and this warning will serve as evidence against him, thereafter”.

The party, however, expressed worry that the event will be another conduit pipe for the APC Government in Kogi State to syphon more money from the coffers of the state, adding that, “this is grossly unfortunate and regrettable even as President Buhari and his Presidential managers watch Governor Bello plunder the state resources while the people suffer in Kogi state”.

“This is the same way members of the State House of Assembly under the current Speaker started going round states claiming to be preaching the gospel of Yahaya Bello to other houses of Assembly in the country where APC hold sway for support. Once again, we call on all Kogi sons and daughters to intensify their vigilance, prayers and mobilization in readiness to boot the APC out, come next elections in the state” he added.