The Odu Akowe Network Group (OANG) has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and halt the alleged harassment of former Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The group also urged the EFCC to stop disrupting the administration of the current governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo.
Comrade Noah Agada, the spokesperson for OANG, made this appeal during a press conference held in Lokoja on Tuesday. He expressed concerns over the political tension in Kogi State, attributing much of it to what he described as the EFCC’s undue focus on Bello and his previous administration.
Agada urged President Tinubu to intercede and ensure that the EFCC refrains from creating an atmosphere of distraction, rancor, and acrimony that could hinder the progress of Kogi State.
He stated, “The recent actions of the EFCC toward Kogi State in the past weeks and months have caused unnecessary disturbances to the peace and development of our state. The commission’s constant interference is distracting Governor Ododo from focusing on governance, thereby hampering the progress of the state.”
The Odu Akowe Network, through its youth and student wing, called for an end to the EFCC’s investigations into the former governor, which Agada argued are politically motivated. He claimed that these actions serve no other purpose than to derail the current administration’s efforts to deliver meaningful development to Kogi State.
“The Odu Akowe Network, Youth and Student Wing, is using this medium to urge the Federal Government to call the EFCC to order. Their continuous scrutiny of the past administration, driven by individuals seeking political gain, is preventing the current governor from focusing on the future. Let’s prioritize the growth and development of Kogi State,” Agada said.
Agada emphasized that such actions could weaken the effectiveness of Governor Ododo’s administration and create unnecessary distractions, stalling the progress and development that the state deserves. He stressed that Kogi State’s future should not be jeopardized by what he described as a “witch hunt” of former Governor Bello.
Reflecting on the contributions of Yahaya Bello, Agada noted that the former governor played a key role in the 2023 Presidential election, showing loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC) despite losing his presidential bid. According to Agada, Bello’s dedication to the party was unwavering, as he continued to campaign and mobilize youth support for APC’s eventual victory.
“It is important to recognize the contributions of former Governor Yahaya Bello, both to Kogi State and to national development. He was a key player in the 2023 Presidential election. Even after losing his bid for the presidency, he maintained his loyalty to the APC, leading the youth structures and galvanizing support for this administration. However, if this is how loyalty and dedication are rewarded, it sends a wrong message to the youths that there is no system of reward for loyalty,” Agada stated.
He expressed disappointment at the way the former governor is being treated, suggesting that the EFCC’s investigations into Bello are politically driven rather than based on genuine accountability.
Agada concluded by reiterating the group’s appeal to President Tinubu, urging him to take immediate action to ensure that the EFCC focuses on its primary mandate of fighting corruption rather than engaging in politically motivated inquiries. He stressed that the continuous targeting of former Governor Bello only undermines the efforts of the current government in Kogi State and does not serve the broader interest of the state’s development.
“Governor Bello deserves better treatment for his contributions to the success of the APC in the 2023 general election. This harassment is unfair and counterproductive. It is time for the government to focus on moving Kogi State forward rather than revisiting the past with ill-intentions,” Agada concluded.
