Contrary to the belief that former governor Yahaya Bello is responsible for maintaining peace in Kogi State, Usman Okai Austin, the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the House of Representative election in Dekina/Bassa, Kogi State, has refuted these claims. Okai emphasized that Bello’s actions and policies have been harmful to the state.
Reacting to an article by Sulaimon Adejoh insinuating that Yahaya Bello was behind the peaceful situation in Kogi State amid the nationwide protests, Okai criticized Adejoh’s assertion. Adejoh had implied that Bello thwarted the protests in the state because of his support for President Bola Tinubu’s presidential ambition.
In response to Adejoh’s claims, Okai highlighted that Bello’s previous administration exacerbated hunger in the state, contrary to the assertion that he is working towards peace.
Okai expressed his views on Facebook, stating, “Despite challenges faced by Muri Ajaka and appeals for calm by Senator Echocho and Karimi during the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests, Yahaya Bello is wrongly credited with maintaining peace in Kogi State. Bello’s policies have worsened the state’s hunger crisis, and he is merely trying to deflect attention from his own troubles with the EFCC.”