‘I didn’t give anyone money’ – Kogi Governor Denies Bribing State Assembly Members

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Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has denied giving bribe to members of the Kogi State House of Assembly and has vowed not to interfere in its legislative affairs.

Earlier on Monday, the online media was awash by claims that the governor through his Chief of Staff Edward Onoja handed out a whooping sum of N50 million Nigeria in bid to compel the members to support the emergence of an APC member as Speaker of the State Assembly.
Governor-Yahaya-Bello-Official

Speculations began riffling-in that since the current speaker hailed from the same Kogi Central Senatorial District as the governor and the likely chance of a deputy governor elect from the Kogi East.

Hence, the support for a Speaker from the Kogi West, with Honorable Umar Ahmed Imam of Lokoja 1 Constituency the purported anointed candidate in the race facing keen contest from Honorable Yomi Kolawole Matthew of Kabba/Bunu Constituency.

In a statement signed by Kinglsey Fanwo, his Chief Press Secretary, Bello refuted reports in a section of the media alleging that he had dole our cash as inducement to the leadership of the State Assembly.

“The attention of the Executive Governor of Kogi State has been drawn to spurious reports in the press and some online media to the effect that he was meddling in the leadership affairs of the State House of Assembly with some of the reports stepping up the misinformation with allegations of financial inducements,” Bello said.

“As a responsible Governor who understands the tenets of separation of powers, Alh. Yahaya Bello understands his role as Executive Governor does not include managing the internal affairs of the House of Assembly.

“Gov. Bello wants to place on record, his readiness to collaborate effectively with the House of Assembly to achieve good governance in an atmosphere devoid of usurpation of authority. The governor will continue to relate with the House of Assembly as an independent body.

“Alh. Yahaya Bello wishes to place this on record that the meeting he had with some members of the House of Assembly was aimed at familiarizing himself with the leadership of the House, and not an attempt at controlling the House as the Assembly has internal operational mechanism.

“As a government that understands the economic temperatures of the state, the administration of Alh. Yahaya Bello promises to manage the commonwealth of the state in a responsible, responsive and transparent manner.

“Governor Yahaya Bello did not give any financial inducement to anyone with an intent to influencing the decisions of House members on the choice of leadership or any other matter whatsoever. He urged Kogites to discountenance rumour mongers who are out to distract him from delivering democracy dividends to the people.

“He assured the people of Kogi State of running a government where transparency and probity are the hallmarks,” he concluded.

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