A group, Vanguard for Credible Representation has described the actions and antics of the Governor of Kogi state, Usman Ododo in the ongoing corruption case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against his predecessor, Yahaya Bello as worrisome.
The Executive Director of the group, Akinloye Oyeniyi, while addressing a press conference on Thursday in Abuja expressed concern about Ododo’s alleged actions in shielding Bello.
The group recalled that Bello along with Ododo arrived at the car park of the EFCC on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, with the full accompaniment of Ododo’s convoy security details.
It wondered why Bello was finding it difficult to clear his name of all these allegations? And why would the EFCC be looking for Bello when the same person was surrounded by security agents of the state, paid by the state?
To this end, the group has petitioned the presidency and the Nigerian Governors Forum to weigh-in and have the matter resolved on the side of the Nigerian people.
He said: “We write to express deep concerns about Kogi State Governor. His Excellency Usman Ododo’s alleged actions in shielding former Governor Yahaya Bello from investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
“Specifically, Governor Ododo has been accused of whisking Bello away from arrest, housing him to avoid arrest, and accompanying him to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 18th September, 2024 in a manner so unbecoming of an occupant of the office of a state governor and in clear breach of the operational protocols of EFCC
“These actions undermine anti-corruption efforts of the federal government, damage public trust in government institutions, and embarrass Nigeria internationally.”
The group maintained that the alleged obstructive actions and antics of the Ododo, was seriously becoming glaring, saying such action was unbecoming of a state governor who swore to uphold the Constitution and also pledge his allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The effrontery and audacity against the Constitution of Nigeria, being displayed has never happened in the history of Nigeria and was hitherto unthought of.
“We have formally written to the Nigeria’s Governors Forum, the Progressives Governors Forum and the Presidency (see the letter attached), to weigh-in and have this matter resolved on the side of the Nigerian people.”
The group noted that the NGF’s silence on this matter is of serious concern, as such might be perceived as tacit support for Ododo’s behaviour.