Double Registration: Leave Governor Bello alone, group tells INEC, opponents

A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Centre for Reform Education Initiative (CREI) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and critics of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state to leave him alone to focus on governing the state.

The group made the call following the recent allegation of double registration levelled against Gov. Bello by INEC and said at the appropriate time, the truth would be unveiled and those crucifying him will be put to shame.

The Executive Director of CREI, Hon. Chinwe Ugwu, who gave the advice in a statement made available to newsmen in Enugu on Wednesday, said it was clear that mischief makers were at work and are bent on distracting the governor from fulfilling his laudable programmes in the state.

The statement read in parts “As a developmental organization, CREI has viewed with serious concerns insinuations and lies being peddled against His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello all with the intent of distracting his attention from the serious business of governance.

“We are therefore calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the opponents of Governor Yahaya Bello to desist from making inflammatory and contemptuous statements regarding allegations of double registration.

“As far as the law is concerned, Governor Bello remains innocent until proven guilty”, the Executive Director submitted.

Continuing, Hon. Ugwu said, “We appeal those who have already convicted the Governor out of malice and are busy crucifying his character and smearing his name for political reasons to stop their mischievous plans.

“CREI’s investigation have shown that most of those passing judgment against the Governor are doing so out of ignorance and malice”

According to her, Governor Bello being a highly educated and experienced person could not have indulged in double registration and challenged those with facts to come clean instead of using the media as a platform to propagate falsehood in order to diminish the achievements recorded by the Governor.

Speaking specifically to INEC, the CREI boss, advised the election umpire not to play into the hands of politicians who are looking for every opportunity to score cheap points against the Governor because of his anti-corruption stance.

“We wish to use this medium to advise INEC to do her work professionally and without bias; and avoid playing into the hands of dubious politicians who are waiting in the wings to unleash falsehood and destroy Governor Bello’s excellent outing in the last one year.

“We believe that INEC is a responsible organization, and would allow the rule of law to prevail in this matter and avoid playing to the gallery. Everything that is been said today against the Governor remains in the realm of allegations and should be taken as such”, she stated.

Hon. Ugwu also called on the people of Kogi state to continue to support the governor to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.

“It is our candid appeal to the good people of Kogi state to support their youthful governor, so that the state can attain higher milestones in development”

It will be recalled that INEC recently dismissed two of its officials for their alleged roles in the electoral scandal involving the Kogi State Governor.