Kogi: Igala tribe rejects Gov. Bello for second-term

Kogi’s Igala tribesmen in Nigeria say last week’s endorsement of Gov. Yahaya Bello for second-term by their traditional rulers is not a ‘true’ reflection of their wishes and aspirations.

The incumbent Governor was reported to have bribed a team of traditional rulers on their way to the Nigerian Presidential villa, to have them anoint him before President Muhammadu Buhari.

See Kogi polls: Monarchs endorse Bello for N2.5m each, get busted by Buhari

The Igala tribe however said, Wednesday in a Press statement that they are not happy with the “ongoing siege” on its Traditional Rulers.

The Statement signed by the National Leader of the Ukomu Igala Organisation (UIO), Mr. Abdul Amade says President Buhari, the National Officers of the ruling All Progressives Congress and other Political Parties to race for the State’s Governorship seat in the November 2019 Polls.

“Our people are tired of the extreme insecurity, hunger and pestilence in Kogi state,” the group said.

“We call on President Muhammad Buhari, National Officers of the APC and other Political Parties to disregard all clandestine and deceptive moves by any individual or groups to misrepresent the feelings and yearnings of the good people of Kogi state.”

The full text of the statement reads:

PRESS STATEMENT

IGALA PEOPLE REJECTS THE PURPORTED ENDORSEMENT OF GOV YAHAYA BELLO BY TRADITIONAL RULERS IN SO ROCK

Arising from its emergency general meeting held in Jos, the Plateau state capital, the Ukomu Igala Organisation(UIO) in a swift reaction to the numerous calls from various Igala sons and daughters within and outside Nigeria over the evidently stage -managed visit of our Traditional Rulers from Kogi state to president Muhammad Buhari in an attempt to seek his support for the imposition of a particular candidate on the good people of Kogi state in the forth coming governorship election in November 2019, wish to state in clear and unambiguous terms, the followings:

1. That the entire Igala race which the voice(Ukomu Igala) represents, is not happy with the ongoing seige on our Traditional Rulers

2. That the presentation made during the said visit, is not a true reflection of the wishes and aspirations of the good people of the Igala Kingdom as the Traditional Rulers were merely arm twisted to make a commitment in favour of the ongoing political aspirations of individual interests in Kogi state. We urge the President to disregard the teleguided message in the interest of peace and justice that informed the massive support of Kogites for the change mantra.

3. That the people of Kogi state who over whelmingly voted for President Muhammed Buhari in the last Presidential election, did so in solidarity with the President who has been adjudged to be one of the most upright and financially disciplined Nigerian. This position of the President must not be allowed to be stained as we urge the President not to allow individual interests to becloud his political judgment based on the contents of the speech during the visit by our Traditional Rulers.

4. That the Traditional Rulers remain the custodian of the culture and tradition of our people and are by their status, expected to sacredly be respected as such and not coerced into any form of political maneuvering.

We call on President Muhammad Buhari, National Officers of the APC and other Political Parties to disregard all clandestine and deceptive moves by any individual or groups to misrepresent the feelings and yearnings of the good people of Kogi state by ensuring that only credible candidates with good track records should be allowed to fly their governorship Tickets in the forth coming governorship election in Kogi state.

Indeed, our people are tired of the extreme insecurity, hunger and pestilence in Kogi state.

Long Live the children of Ayegba Omidoko
Long live Kogi state indigenes and residents
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Signed:

National Leader
Rtd Comptroller Abdul Amade