Bello on ‘PDP’ appointments: The constitution empowers me to choose those I want

Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state, says he has the constitutional right to appoint his personal aides without any recourse to any group of people.

Responding to the allegation of the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that he is giving power to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through the back door, Bello said he saw nothing wrong with his appointments provided “the individuals meet up the requirement as stipulated by law of the land”.

Kogi APC had written a letter to John Oyegun, chairman of the ruling party, threatening not to have anything to do with Bello whom they alleged had given all the 45 appointments made so far to PDP members.

They also accused him of being behind the crisis rocking Kogi house of assembly, saying his government has not been carrying the party structures along in his policy directions.

But speaking through Abdulkarim Abdulmalik, his special adviser on media and strategy, Bello said the APC chairman in Kogi was playing “clanish games and PDP card against his government because his favoured choice, Honourable Jimoh Lawal, was removed as speaker of the state assembly”

“The Kogi state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has said it is his constitutional right to appoint his personal aides without any recourse to any group of people, provided the individuals meet up the requirement as stipulated by law of the land,” Abdulmalik said in a statement.

“The governor said he was yet to be informed by the national secretariat of the ‎APC about the petition, adding that he is running an all-inclusive government and the APC leadership are free to recommend any body for any appointment provided the person meets certain cretaria for such positions.

“He said his government is working towards unity and as such his doors are always open to accommodate every body irrespective of religion, ethnic and political differences.

“The governor accused the state chairman of the APC, Alhaji Haddi Ametuo, of hiding under the party to play clanish games and PDP card against his government because his favoured choice, Honourable Jimoh Lawal, was removed as speaker of the house of assembly by the lawmakers.

“Bello said his administration has demonstrated commitment towards rebuilding the state and unite the people for peaceful co-existence through people-oriented policies and programme.

“This according to him attested to the warm reception accorded him at Okene when he was recently received by a large crowd that thronged the city square to rejoice with him over his victory at the polls.”

The statement quoted Bello as saying: “I will not behave like the past leaders, who now regret not doing the right thing while in office due to selfish pressure mounted on them by some people.

“Anybody with impeccable credentials and feels that he has something to offer the state can come forward.”