Former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello on Tuesday received a rousing welcome from kinsmen in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, and Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The residents trooped out en-masse to welcome the immediate past governor, who travelled home for the New Year celebrations.
Koton-Karfe/Lokoja road was literally blocked, as supporters, kinsmen and well wishers stormed the road to join the former governor’s convoy amid cheers.
It took Bello about six hours to finally access the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr Tijani Anaje.
The former governor was granted bail on December 19 and released after meeting his bail conditions in the alleged money laundering case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Kinsmen and supporters, who had been waiting for the big entry of the former governor and the incumbent, Alhaji Usman Ododo, stormed the streets, chanting solidarity songs and praying for the continuous upliftment of the state under the new administration.
Many of those who manged to speak amidst the celebrations eulogised Bello and assured him that their prayers are with them.
Also thanking him for giving them a governor like Ododo, the people said they had been waiting since 9am to welcome their son, whom they said opened Kogi up for laudable development after a very long time.
The former governor, accompanied by Governor Ododo and other past and present key officials, first made a stop at the resting place of his late mother for a special prayer.
Speaking at the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in Okene, Bello called for unity among the people, assuring that the current administration led by Ododo would deliver more dividends of democracy to all parts of the state.
Bello also sought the support and prayers of Nigerians for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He urged citizens to exercise patience and pray specially for the president to be able to continue executing his laudable plans and programmes for the country, saying at the end, Nigeria and Nigerians would be better for it.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, Governor Ododo said Bello had laid a solid foundation for the sustainable growth and development of the state.
The governor pointed out that the ability of Bello’s administration to reform the civil service and institute a productive workforce was a solid foundation on which the current administration is thriving.
According to him, the prompt payment of salaries by his administration is the outcome of the efforts and foresight of the Bello administration.
The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland charged the people of Ebiraland at home and in the diaspora to embrace peace, speak with one voice and prioritise the interest of Ebiraland over personal interest.
The monarch, who offered prayers for Ebiraland and Kogi State in general, solicited support for Governor Ododo to enable him achieve more development for the state.
In his speech, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Bello described the former governor as the one who laid a solid foundation for the state in the areas of infrastructure and human capital development.
He assured that based on the activities of the Governor Ododo-led administration, 2025 would usher in peace, unity and development to Kogi State.
