Kogi APC leaders accuse Bello of relegating party to opposition

Elders and stakeholders in the Kogi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have accused Gov. Yahaya Bello of relegating the party to the position of ‘an opposition’.

The party chieftains, who stated this in a communique issued in Lokoja on Tuesday, described the development as worrisome and an insult on the intelligence of voters that trooped out in their thousands to vote the APC in all the elections held in 2015.

The communique was signed by Sen. Nicholas Yahaya Ugbane, Kogi East; Sen. Salihu Ohize, Kogi Central and Chief Dare Olatunde, Kogi West, who also doubles as the Secretary, Kogi APC Elders/Stakeholders Forum.

“The anti-party activities of Alhaji Yahaya Bello before, during and after the Nov. 21, 2015 gubernatorial election, which has currently turn a winning APC party to a position of an opposition party in the state is worrisome.

“We equally view with concern the leadership style of Gov. Yahaya Bello which has alienated the party (APC) and propped up members of the supposed opposition PDP in running the affairs of Kogi State,” the communique added.

They called on the national leadership of the party to immediately intervene before the situation ‘degenerates’, insisting that the crises foisted on the party by the emergence of Bello as the governor of the state must be resolved on the bases of equity, fairness and justice.

According to the communique, the party leaders also expressed their support for the vote of no confidence passed on the governor by the state party executives.

Similarly, the stakeholders urged President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, to stop meddling in the internal affairs of the APC in the state.

“The problem he created for Kogi State is still lingering. We also disapprove his recent advice‎ to the Inspector -General of Police on the takeover of the functions of the Kogi State House of Assembly by the National Assembly.

“We see this as an affront on the rule of law and the constitution, and a deliberate attempt to cause a rift between the legislative and executive arms of government,” the communique said.