Night life in Kogi back to normal, says Bello

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state says his administration has successfully tackled the challenge of insecurity resulting in the restoration of night life across the state.

Gov. Bello, who made this known to State House correspondents in Abuja, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) led government in Kogi state has transformed the state to the second safest state in the country.

The governor revealed that various bodies including the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics have since confirmed his position, saying the people of the state as well as travellers enjoy improved security.

He said: “Lastly, if you look at Kogi state in the past, if you are a traveller you will hold your breath.

“The inhabitants as early as 6:30 a.m. they will only manage to pray their morning prayer and in the evening they will manage to pray their evening prayer and go to bed.

“But today, even along the streets of Kogi you will see people jogging, exercising and night life is back as a result of improved security situation in the state today.

“Kogi state is the second safest state in Nigeria today, I didn’t say it. We have various bodies that rate the performance of various government and administration, Nigeria Bureau of Statistics and the rest of them, they said it.’’

The governor therefore, expressed optimism that this singular achievement would greatly assist the ruling party in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

He said citizens of the state have seen his performance against the performance of previous administrations of the PDP, saying that in less than three and half years his administration has recorded wonderful performances.

“In fact, starting with even the issue of salaries, it’s just that all along, I have chosen not to speak about the issue of salary because it is a problem I inherited.

“And in any case, governance is continuum; you inherit both assets and liabilities. When you inherit assets, you make use of it, when you inherit liabilities or trouble you try to solve it, you don’t complain about it. So, I refused to make comments about the issue of salaries.

“So if you look at it, we have performed so wonderfully that the people of Kogi state are eager that November 16 should come and let them speak with their votes and I know they will speak very well and re-elect me, the APC and we shall become victorious,’’ he added.

On PDP’s allegation that he attempted to scuttle their party primary in the state, the governor described the PDP as a party suffering from cancer, but treating malaria.

He alleged that the activities of the party has always been marred or characterised by violence, guns, maiming of each other and all kinds of attacks.