We fought wildcats to keep state safe, says Yahaya Bello on Kogi at 30

Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi, says some people allude that he literally transforms into a “white lion” and deploys “fangs” to protect the residents of the state.

Speaking during a statewide broadcast to commemorate Kogi’s 30th anniversary on Friday, Bello said his administration prioritised the security of the people.

The governor said Kogi is arguably the safest state in Nigeria, adding that it was rated the second most peaceful place in the country.

”We fought like wildcats to keep our people safe,” he said.

“Some would say I literally transformed into a White Lion and deployed teeth and fangs to do my sacred duty of protecting Kogi state.

“My administration took the security, unity, peace and prosperity of our once divided and impoverished people seriously, right from inception.

“Today, our state is arguably the safest in the entire country, we are rated the second most peaceful and our crime rate is second lowest. We have a hugely diverse population that is nevertheless more united now than at any time in our history.”

Bello said the country has witnessed two recessions, but his administration has been able to deliver on its campaign promises.

“In the last six years that I have been in charge, our dear nation Nigeria has been hit by at least two major recessions which reduced our income as a State to some of its lowest levels since her creation,” he said.

“If anyone will recall, these duo of economic tragedies hit us within months of my swearing in for my first and second terms in 2016 and 2020 respectively.

“Although the injurious impacts of the two recessions spoken of earlier were made worse by a naira exchange rate that has been in a free fall from 2015 till today, we still conjured the funding to fulfill our campaign promises, most times, practically from thin air.”

The governor said it is “nothing short of magic” that President Muhammadu Buhari was able to lead the country through the recessions.

“It is here that I must pause and applaud the ingenuity and financial discipline of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR and his team,” he said.

“It was simply nothing short of magical how His Excellency kept this nation’s finances afloat during periods when bigger and wealthier countries were brought to their knees.”