Kogi west elders back Yahaya Bello’s reelection

Community leaders under the umbrella of Kogi West Elders Forum (KWEF) have endorsed the reelection of Yahaya Bello, the state governor.

In a communique released at the end of a meeting with the governor at the state liaison office in Abuja on Sunday, the elders said the decision was taken in the larger interest of the people of senatorial district.

The elders from the district who signed the communique were David Jemibewon, Abdullahi Mamman, Idris Yusuf Tawari, Ajayi Joseph, J.O.S Oshanupin, Funso Ako, Oluwayomi David Atte and Olusegun Oloruntoba.

Others include, Tunde Arosanyin, James Awoniyi, Bayo Ojo, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Benjamin Taiwo, Funmi Bodunde, Dan Kunle, Isiaq Ajibola and Deinde Abolarin.

The Kogi west senatorial district is currently represented by Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“The Forum welcomes the promise and commitment of the governor to protect the lives and properties of its citizens and combat any form of insecurity either on farmlands or in the communities caused by the activities of criminals and desperate politicians,” the communique read.

“To follow up on this commitment, the group resolved to engage with the government by setting up a security committee among its members who are retired ex-service personnel.

“Whereas the government pledged to continue to pay salaries of workers, going forward, the Forum will monitor this to ensure that the government continues to pay the salaries of its workers including the local governments’ staff.

“Whereas the government promised the completion of all ongoing projects in the Senatorial District, the Forum will set up a Project  Monitoring Committee (PMC) that would regularly monitor the implementation of projects in the Senatorial District.

“Conclusively and distinctly too , having gauged the political direction and reviewed the present power equation in Kogi State and without prejudice to any parochial interest, it is the considered opinion of the Forum to support the re-election  of the governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello in the larger interest of the people of West Senatorial District.”