‘Nobody stopped Gov Bello from travelling abroad’
Since I read the piece purportedly written by one self acclaimed journalist, Mr. Amuda Dan Suleiman to the effect that Governor Yahaya Bello was barred from travelling abroad, I have restrained myself from responding to the calumnous, spurious and malicious publication by sponsored renegades of the opposition.
My restraint was informed by so many factors. One, the architects came up with so many versions of the story. To some, Buhari stopped the Governor. To some mischief-brewers, security agencies barred the Governor from travelling. And to the last set of abridged thinkers, Sen. Dino Melaye physically went to the airport to stop the Governor.
Let us however give the sponsors the glory of weaving up a nexus of agreement on the reason why the Governor was “stopped” from travelling. They claimed the alleged stoppers told the Governor to go back and pay salaries before embarking on any international trip.
To set the record straight, nobody stopped the Governor from travelling abroad. Nobody would have anyway, because he reserves such right to travel even as salary payments have been ongoing. Only a few MDAs who haven’t complied with the agreed wage bill are yet to be paid and they are few.
The sponsors of the write-up have a clear mission that is to smear the personality of the Governor and distract him from his laudable projects and programs in the State which is making him more and more popular among the people. The goal of the sponsors was clearly defeated.
The elbow of attack by the detractors has been sprung on their desperation to discredit the Governor and set the people against him. Kogi State Staff
Verification Exercise has emerged as the most scientific and meticulous. It was an all-out approach aimed at weeding out the cankerworm who had made it impossible for Kogi State to progress. As a Governor who is determined to succeed, it is logic-wise to confront the cog in the wheels of progress.
Salaries were delayed for a few weeks in Kogi State because of the inevitable necessity to ensure only those who serve Kogi are paid by Kogi. Investigations showed that many people who work in companies outside the state draw their salaries from the coffers of the State.
As you read this piece, Kogi State is going through massive reconstruction, physically and psychological. While road constructions are going on everywhere; our environment is getting cleaner. Governor Yahaya Bello has also taken the bull by the horn by ensuring reinforcement of the security apparatus in the State to combat the menace. We are winning the war!
Governor Yahaya Bello understands that both delivery and distraction are competing for his attention. Yielding to distraction will surely stifle delivery. When you deliver, detractors will begin to find new jobs. The bottom line is: We won’t respond to everything but under GYB, Kogites will be adequately and strategically informed.
Governor Yahaya Bello is determined to reposition the state. As your servant, he understands the resistance that comes with change. But change we must if we must progress.
Kingsley Fanwo is the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.