The Northern Initiative for the Defence of Democracy and Justice has issued a call to action directed at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to intervene in the alleged misconduct of Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State.
In a detailed statement released to the press in Abuja, the group, represented by its President, Ambassador Nurudeen Musa Sadiq, and Secretary, Hajjia Ramatu AbdulRahaman, expressed concerns over Bello’s purported efforts to undermine key institutions of the state, particularly the judiciary.
The group emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and accountability in governance, asserting that no individual, regardless of their former position, should be exempt from legal scrutiny.
“We stand to say at this junction that , if nothing tangible is done about the antics of ex governor Bello, it can be well said ‘we are gradually taking the road to Kigali’, because of its envisaged spiral effect.”
“On the basis of this , we urge President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to call Yahaya Adoza Bello to order and put him where he belong before his antics collapse our much cherished democracy.”
They highlighted the need for transparency in the management of public resources, stressing that citizens have the right to know how their taxes and collective wealth were utilized during Bello’s tenure as governor.
Drawing parallels to past cases where public officials were held accountable for financial misconduct, such as the convictions of former governors Joshua Dariye and Rev Jolly Nyame, the group underscored the principle that justice should be blind and applied equally to all, including former governors like Yahaya Bello.
The statement applauded the commitment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in pursuing allegations of corruption against Bello, citing remarks by the EFCC boss, Ola Olukoyede, as a sign of hope for accountability and justice.
“We hereby commend the EFCC boss for his tenacity of purpose by his efforts in calling a spade by its name and moving against the ex governor.”
However, the group expressed concerns that Bello may be attempting to exploit legal loopholes to evade prosecution, particularly through the manipulation of the judicial process.
In light of these concerns, the Northern Initiative for the Defence of Democracy and Justice called upon President Tinubu to intervene decisively and ensure that Bello is held accountable for any wrongdoing.
They also urged the National Judicial Council to take proactive measures to safeguard the integrity of the judiciary and prevent any attempts to undermine the rule of law.
“We have also discovered that the ex governor is not resting on his oars.
He is currently exploiting the weak links in the nation’s laws, particularly the judiciary to evade prosecution for his alleged sleaze, while in office”
The group emphasized the importance of maintaining the principles of democracy, justice, and accountability, warning of dire consequences if decisive action is not taken to address the alleged misconduct of Yahaya Bello.
