Youths in Kogi State have warned those they described as agents of destabilisation and enemies of the state to steer clear of the state’s Government House and desist from painting wrong picture about the state to outsiders, or face dire consequences.
The warning is coming on the heels of rumours that former Governor Yahaya Bello lives in the Government House, with threat to invade the seat of power under the guise of protest.
Warning that any attempt by outsiders or disgruntled politicians from within to go near the Kogi Government House in the guise of occupying the seat of government will be vehemently resisted, the youths described those threatening to occupy the Kogi Government House as a faceless group of ethnic jingoists doing the bidding of embattled paymasters.
They dared anyone to try such and test the popularity of the immediate past governor and his successor, Alhaji Usman Ododo.
Thousands of youths, under the Kogi Youths Stakeholder Forum, said this in a joint statement made available to the press on Tuesday by the coordinator, Comrade Tunde G. Muhammed, and signed by Yunisa Idris, Yusuf Ndako, Idris Kabir, Osovehe Jimmoh, Itoba Momoh, Agali Oluwafemi, Mayowa Williams, Ocholi Idris, Hassan Gambo and Oloruneffa Jegede.
“Our patience has been tested enough; no one should try anything to undermine democracy in Kogi State or the consequences will not be palatable. They will be shocked,” they warned.
The youths condemned the talk of invasion being spread by political actors and echoed by ethnocentric agents of destruction in the state as suspicious and an attack on democracy, saying any further oppression would be met with stiff resistance.
According to them, there is a pending court case that has been adjourned and the illegally obtained warrant of arrest is a subject of appeal, as it was obtained against a valid court order.
“This needless noise is clearly persecution taken too far as we, the bona fide citizens of Kogi State, know that no governor has performed better than Bello since inception. His successor is riding on this solid foundation to deliver even better dividends.
“We categorically reject even the thought of disrupting the peace and stability of our state through unlawful occupation. Our dutiful Governor Usman Ododo was duly elected and the current occupier of the Lugard House. Such threat from whatever quarters is an attempt to overthrow democracy and pave way for anarchy.
“We know the voice of Jacob and hand of Esau and warn all those trying to cause chaos because they have lost at the polls, those conniving with enemies of Yahaya Bello outside, to desist. We have been patient enough in the face of the endless persecution and defamation. We will not allow anything that will be counter-productive to the peace, progress, development and well-being of all bonafide residents of Kogi.
“Our dear state is currently undergoing a critical period of development and consolidation of democratic values. It is on this basis that we enjoin all indigenes of our dear state to ignore the empty and baseless threats arising from ethnic jingoists,” the youths stated.
The stakeholder, reacting to a statement by a group called People of Kogi, calling for the the former governor to be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, said those making that demand were “illiterates who don’t understand the process of law.”
They called on all genuine residents of Kogi State to prioritise peace, unity and adherence to the law of the land.
The youths further called all citizens to continue working to build a brighter future for a state free from unnecessary strife and division.
