My deputy’s allegation borne out of blind rage, says Gov Bello

Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello denied allegation he was after
the life of his deputy, Simon Achuba.

Achuba had alleged Bello is after his life, having detailed
gunmen to eliminate him.

But Bello dismissed the allegation, stating it is bogus and an
exhibition of a blind rage by an “angry suckling with a long-term
pattern of abnormal behaviour characterized by exaggerated feelings
of self-importance”.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Mohammed,
the governor said: “We do not train assassins, and as such, the
state government or her personnel cannot be involved in sending
assassins to murder any human soul let alone a deputy governor of
our dear state.

“Despite these unsubstantiated ramblings, however, we deem it
fit to clear the air by letting the general public know that the
Kogi State government would not be dragged into any form of
political gerrymandering concocted for the furtherance of any
person’s political interest or notoriety.”

He challenged Achuba to provide evidence of his claims or desist
from making such further spurious allegations.

“We warn Mr. Simon Achuba who is known to history as a man whose
affinity for violence is unparalleled, not to judge us by his own
standards.

“The report of the Kogi State Government Commission of Enquiry
on the Iyaño ethnic crises in 2017 is still fresh in our
memories.

“The Kogi State government led by Alhaji Yahaya Bello,
therefore, rejects the futile attempt at seeking to link it to any
assassination attempt on the deputy governor, and we advise that
people desist from seeking political capital from scenarios they
imagine would advance their parochial cause, no matter how banal
such causes may seem.”

He went on: “Nigerians and Kogites in particular are aware that
it is not in the character of the administration to persecute
perceived opponents, let alone the second in command of the ‘New
Direction’ team.

“We have remained a model for peaceful engagement and political
dialogue. Any inclination at portraying us otherwise will not be
acceptable.”