Former governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris has described as false and unfounded allegations linking him to a 4.5 billion naira deal with former governor Idris Wada as settlement for installing him as Kogi governor in 2012.
A statement signed by Usman Okai Austin said it is glaring that those behind such falsehood are those who are afraid of the successful ward and local government congresses election conducted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the state and are threatened by the ongoing reconciliation within the party.
He said with the recent decamping of some notable personalities from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) back to the PDP, the elements at the corridor of power resorted to peddling unfounded rumours. He said their action has exposed them as a group of people who have lost political value and grip of power.
The former governor said the jittery camp is working seriously to create misunderstanding within the PDP family in Kogi state but assured that their sponsored falsehood will only strengthen the cords of unity in PDP.
Idris stated that he is not unaware of series of attempts by some group of individuals who have failed politically in Kogi state to malign his image. He noted that the dirty political strategy is not unconnected with the upcoming elections in the state.
“It is an attempt by some groups of compromised persons and mischief makers who are bent on causing disaffection between the two Igala leaders to their political advantage,” he said.
Idris reminded Kogi people, particularly those from the eastern flank, that relentless efforts are been deployed towards other prominent sons and daughters of the area to create disaffection through inducements and other means to sustain the current satanic trend and denial of people’s rights. He said the identity of dissidents in Igala land will be exposed very soon.
The former governor said the source of the mis-information is one of the official media outlets of Kogi state government, showing clearly that the current administration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello is all out to damage and divide the rank and file of the former leaders from Kogi East.
“Kogi Government, rather than concentrate on governance and robust leadership roles, has resorted to playing pranks while the people of the state, particularly the working class at all levels, are abandoned to face biting economic hardship by deliberately denying them of their salaries and basic entitlements.
“No amount of gimmicks, efforts and attempts to deploy divide and rule tactics will work in Kogi state as majority of the people are resolutely determined to participate in the next election frontally.
“At no time or fora was such unholy agreement to tinker with the commonwealth of Kogi people brokered. It is mere efforts by those politicians who have lost relevance to fan the embers of discord through unfounded allegations”
Ibrahim Idris agreed to have made efforts towards electing his successor but did not consummate bilateral, multi lateral or tripartite arrangement to tinker with the public funds meant to provide social services for the people.
He urged the current leaders to strive to make positive impact instead of feasting on the current un-sellable rumour.
Idris said his 9 years reign was devoid of translucent activities with priorities mainly on the welfare of workers, provision of infrastructural facilities and activating vital economic activities as well as creating enabling environment for would be investors.
