My people will be proud of me in the end, says Yahaya Bello

Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state, on Monday said he had already begun the modernisation of Lokoja, the state capital, saying his people will be proud of his achievements.

Reacting to the ruling of the tribunal which upheld his election, Bello said the judiciary has restored the hope of the common man.

The governor rather than get distracted by litigations, he would channel his energy towards revamping the state.

Bello said he had delivered “solid democratic dividends” to the people in his first four months in office.

“The decision of the bench lords has further justified my election as the governor of Kogi State… the victory belongs to the people of Kogi State, our party APC and lovers of democracy across the nation,” read a statement issued on his behalf by Kingsley Fanowo, his spokesman.

“The victory does not call for wild jubilation, but offers a golden opportunity for my opponents to join the New Direction Initiative of this administration, which is built on the podium of development, fairness, justice, freedom and shared prosperity from the confluence of opportunities which abound in the state.

“I hold no grudge against anyone who has approached the temple of justice to seek redress…I will always respect the rights of the citizens.”

On the state of insecurity, he said: “To those who wants to make Kogi a criminal hotspot, we will defeat you. My government will spare nothing at ensuring lives and properties are safe within our shores. We have taken practical steps in this direction and our local government administrators are also on the same page with us.

“This administration will not condone corruption. The New Direction is that of transparency and accountability. We won’t spare any government official found wanting in our anti-corruption drive just as we would legally ensure that every dime stolen from our coffers in time past is recovered and used for infrastructural and social development. We are on the right path.”

He thanked the people of the state for their prayers and solidarity, assuring them of his readiness to repay their trust and confidence in him.