Olayinka Braimoh knocks Kogi government, says state’s resources wasted on rally ban

Olayinka Braimoh, a former Action Alliance (AA) gubernatorial candidate in Kogi, has criticised the state government over the recent ban on rallies and public gatherings in the state

The restrictions were imposed on April 1, just before a planned homecoming event for Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi central.

The Kogi police command had asked Akpoti–Uduaghan to cancel her planned Eid-el-Fitr celebration rally, citing intelligence reports of a security threat.

Amoka Monday, chairman of Okehi LGA, had also declared a curfew across the council area.

However, despite the government restrictions, Akpoti-Uduaghan was welcomed by a large crowd of supporters when she arrived in Okehi LGA by helicopter.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Braimoh described the ban on public gatherings as a misplaced priority.

The former governorship candidate said pressing issues, such as insecurity, require the government’s urgent attention, not prohibitions on rallies.

“The level of insecurity in Bunu land in the Kabba-Bunu local government area has reached alarming height, comparable to the north-east, forcing our people to flee their homes in search of safety,” Braimoh alleged.

“The rampant killings and kidnappings for ransom have become a daily occurrence.

“Sadly, the state government seems more focused on stopping an elected senator from connecting with her constituents than on tackling the ongoing violence that our people in Bunu face every day.”

Braimoh said the ban was a “waste of resources” as it could not stop Akpoti-Uduaghan from meeting her constituents.

“The resources the state government deployed into blocking a single-day event organised by the senator are staggering; this includes everything from publications and press releases to road blockades, collaboration with law enforcement, and even curfews in certain local government areas,” he said.

“Unfortunately, all these taxpayer-funded efforts have gone to waste, as the event went ahead and was a success.

“If even half of this energy had been directed towards Bunu land, we could have made real progress in eradicating insecurity.

“This situation clearly shows a serious misalignment of priorities.”

Braimoh added that the insecurity in Kabba-Bunu needs urgent government attention.