EFCC is not a tool for fighting parochial interests, says Yahaya Bello

Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state, says the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is not a tool for fighting “parochial interests”.

Reacting to the report that the commission had been shielding him, Bello said “architects of falsehood and uncircumcised ignorance” were out to tarnish his reputation.

He vowed not to be distracted, and said the cause of the rot in the state would be uncovered after the panel which he set up to probe past administrations submits its report.

“The faceless organisations trying to mislead the public into believing there is corruption are products of people who believe the new order in the state responsible and responsive leadership,” read a statement issued on Bello’s behalf by Kingsley Fanowo, his spokesman.

“Fiscal responsibility has been the hallmark of the governor’s administration. The governor is going to remain focused in developing the state. He is accountable, focused and committed to a greater Kogi.

“EFCC is a responsible organisation that fights corruption and not an institution for fighting political or parochial interests.”

On the petitions against Bello, Fanwo said: “If such petitions ever existed, they are the figment of the imagination of the authors who are unrepentant architects of falsehood and uncircumcised ignorance.

“This has annihilated his detractor’s style of politics, which was anchored on political enslavement. The advent of Governor Yahaya Bello has shown great leadership. He was the first state to publish the state’s bailout account. The government showed a great example of probity and accountability.

“By the time the reports of the judicial panel of inquiry is out at the end of their assignment, we should be able to discover the root cause of the rot that has dragged us back.

“It is unfortunate that people could go to any length in maligning the personality of others. In Kogi state, the governor is fighting corruption.”