The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Abdul Rahman Ado Ibrahim, says that Yahaya Bello, the governor of Kogi State whom he supported to be governor, is a totally
The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Abdul Rahman Ado Ibrahim, says that Yahaya Bello, the governor of Kogi State whom he supported to be governor, is a totally different person today adding that he is being misled by money and wrong people around him.
Ibrahim said Bello has lost the goodwill of the people and it would be difficult to convince them to vote him for a second term in office. The traditional ruler according to Daily Trust, said he supported Bello in 2015 because his assessment of the governor was positive, but today, Bello does not listen to the counsel of traditional leaders but to those who idolize him.
“So there is this issue of the boy not knowing what he should do because he has extremely wrong people around him. Bello is a nice young man and highly intelligent; that is why I recommended him at that time. People said I was supporting Bello because he is my cousin. Well, partly, that could be one reason. Two, he had money to do it, and that money is what has misled him so far,” Ibrahim said.
“A good person should always put money aside and put reality in the front. Money should just be a palliative anytime you need it. The governor did not allow traditional rulers to advise him. I haven’t sat with him to advise him on issues that are required to stabilise the peace of the people. I think I should advise him on policy issues, but he gives more time to those who idolize him. He is enjoying that.”
Asked to comment on the non-payment of workers’ salaries in the state, the ohinoyi said he cannot say much.
“I can’t say much, I can only talk about what people are saying and what I read in the papers. I don’t know how he does it. If people say he didn’t pay salaries, I cannot say why he didn’t do that. As far as I am concerned, he is paying salaries. I cannot comment on whatever they say he is doing.”
Ibrahim said despite the not so good comments about Bello, he does not want the relationship between them smeared. He said he prays for, and is working to see the governor’s re-election, even though the people of Ebiraland don’t want to hear him say that.
“His relationship with the people of Ebiraland is a bit dented because he has more relationship with the Igala people, who are leading him in government. And they are the people I am now talking to so that they will have a change of mind and vote him back.
“Honestly, they have the votes. All I am trying to do is to get them to give him another term, after that if they don’t need to see his face anymore they can seal his fate. Whatever term they want to give, I’m prepared to go to any length. I’m really trying to get my people to support his second term, but I know that they don’t want to hear me say that.”
