In the upcoming 2023 elections, Austin Okai, the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency, has emphasized that President Bola Tinubu is well aware of the grave “sins” committed by former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello, sins that even the All Progressives Congress cannot defend.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja, the PDP leader dismissed allegations that Bello is being targeted unfairly by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Ola Olukayode.
Okai pointed out that the EFCC’s investigation into Bello began during the tenure of former Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa.
An ongoing probe by the EFCC has accused Bello of embezzling N80.2 billion during his governorship in Kogi State.
Despite invitations from the EFCC to address the allegations, the ex-governor evaded them, and an attempt to apprehend him at his Abuja residence was thwarted by his successor, Governor Usman Ododo.
Ododo intervened at Bello’s residence in Abuja and prevented his apprehension by the EFCC.
Consequently, the EFCC declared Bello wanted and put him on a watchlist due to his untraceable whereabouts.
However, Okai refuted claims of witch-hunting, stating, “To suggest that the EFCC Chairman is unfairly targeting Yahaya Bello is false; this investigation commenced during Bawa’s leadership. The APC is aware that defending Bello in this matter is untenable. Tinubu, who is privy to classified security briefings across all states, is well aware of the massive infractions committed by Yahaya Bello in Kogi State.”
Okai continued, “During our interaction with the EFCC, they assured us that they would not cover up this case. The world is observing closely; if Bello is allowed to evade justice, then the EFCC’s credibility is at stake. Many are now vocal on TV, advocating for Bello’s rights, but where were they when he neglected to pay salaries to civil servants? Where were these advocates when dissenters against Bello mysteriously disappeared? Where were these voices when basic services in Kogi State were neglected, with abandoned roads and dysfunctional hospitals?”
“As of now, public schools in Kogi State are not operational; he has dismantled the education and local governance structures,” Okai added.
“The act of Ododo, who had been in office for less than six months and shielded a declared fugitive, Bello, using public resources, is unacceptable. He is mistreating the Ebira people, his own community,” he concluded.