Youths in Kogi State have warned those behind the alleged plot to invade the Kogi Government House to have a rethink.
They also warned the sponsors of the plot to desist from painting the wrong picture about the state to outsiders or face dire consequences.
The warning came on the heels of rumours that the immediate past governor Yahaya Bello lives in the Government House and the threat to invade the complex under the guise of a protest.
The youths said any attempt by outsiders or defeated politicians from within to come near the Kogi Government House in the guise of occupying the seat of government will be resisted.
They described those threatening to occupy the Kogi Government House as a faceless group of ethnic jingoists doing the bidding of embattled paymasters.
They also dared anyone to try such and test the popularity of the immediate past governor and his successor, Governor Usman Ododo.
Thousands of youths, who are registered members of the Kogi Youths Stakeholder Forum, said this in a joint statement made available to journalists by the coordinator, Comrade Tunde G. Muhammed, and signed in Lokoja by Yunisa Idris, Yusuf Ndako, Idris Kabir, Osovehe Jimmoh, Itoba Momoh, Agali Oluwafemi, Mayowa Williams, Ocholi Idris, Hassan Gambo and Oloruneffa Jegede.
“Our patience has been tested enough, no one should try anything to undermine democracy in Kogi State or the consequences will not be palatable. They will be shocked,” they warned.
The youths condemned the talk of invasion being spread by political actors and echoed by ethnocentric agents of destruction in the state as suspicious and an attack on democracy, saying any further oppression would be met with stiff resistance.
According to them, there is a pending court case that has been adjourned and that the illegally obtained warrant of arrest is a subject of appeal as it was obtained against a valid court order.
“This needless noise is clearly persecution taken too far as we, the bona-fide citizens of Kogi State, know that no Governor has performed better than Bello since inception. His successor is riding on this solid foundation to deliver even better dividends.
“We categorically reject even the thought of disrupting the peace and stability of our state through unlawful occupation. Our dutiful Governor Usman Ododo was duly elected and the current occupier of the Lugard House. Such threat from whatever quarters is an attempt to overthrow democracy and pave way for anarchy.
“We know the voice of Jacob and hand of Esau and warn all those trying to cause chaos because they have lost at the polls, those conniving with enemies of Yahaya Bello outside, to desist. We have been patient enough in the face of the endless persecution and defamation. We will not allow anything that will be counter-productive to the peace, progress, development and well-being of all bonafide residents of Kogi.
“Our dear state is currently undergoing a critical period of development and consolidation of democratic values. It is on this basis that we enjoin all indigenes of our dear state to ignore the empty and baseless threats arising from ethnic jingoists.
“The Confluence state has witnessed transition from Igala to Igala and Heavens did not fall then. The transition process from ex-governor Bello to Ododo has come to stay,” the youths stated.
The stakeholders, reacting to a statement “by a group that called itself People of Kogi, calling for the ex-governor to be handed over to the EFCC”, said those making that demand don’t understand the process of law.
“For us in KYSF, we consider this as a joke taken too far. For the sake of clarity, it has become imperative to highlight the achievements of the former Governor, His Excellency Yahaya Bello, during his tenure as governor and his legacies of visionary leadership.
“This is an incontrovertible fact, that under Ex- GYB, Kogi State witnessed significant infrastructural development, improvements in healthcare and education sectors with notable strides in agriculture and youth empowerment. Undoubtedly, his administration’s efforts toward peace and security are commendable and have contributed to the stability we currently enjoy in our dear state today. Whatever haters peddle can’t erase this,” they said.
