Kogi group alleges plot to invade government house in search of Yahaya Bello

The Kogi Ethnic Nationalities Forum (KENF), a socio-cultural group, says there is a plan by some politicians to arm hoodlums with weapons to invade the state government house.

On July 14, TheCable reported that Yahaya Bello, former governor of the state, has been holed up in the “protective custody” of the Kogi state government since he was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement on Monday, Kennedy Owolabi, the national publicity secretary of KENF, alleged that the planned attack on the government house is in search of the former governor.

Owolabi warned that any attempt to invade the government house amounts to a “coup,” noting that it would be resisted by every well-meaning indigene of the state.

“We are well abreast with the information on the acquisition of automated weapons by desperate politicians to arm hoodlums imported from neighbouring states to invade the government house,” he said.

“While we understand that this is nothing but a well-orchestrated plan to stage a coup to overthrow a constitutionally elected governor, they have told those who care to listen that they are looking for former governor Yahaya Bello.

“We dare ask, what legal authority do they have to invade a government house if not to occupy the seat of the governor?

“What they could not achieve at the polls, they want to achieve with the barrel of a gun. We must however make it clear to them that the people of Kogi will resist them.

“Our people don’t want to be taken back to the days of darkness. They have decided on their choice of leadership, and they are committed to defending it.

“Desperate politicians must also be told that violence has no place in the new Kogi, but this must not be interpreted to mean cowardice.

“Those who want to stoke violence should be ready to harvest it in equal measure.”