The former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello, established himself as an emperor within the state, viewing it as his own empire, ruling with reckless abandon and stealing with impunity.
He was hailed as the lion of his tribe by his loyalists, who also indulged in massive theft of public funds. During his eight-year tenure, civil servants couldn’t rely on receiving their salaries in full each month, as he paid them arbitrarily and even threatened organized labor with death.
Numerous individuals disappeared under suspicious circumstances, facilitated by complicit members of the security forces. For over seven years, the whereabouts of the Okene PDP chairman, abducted from his home by men in military attire, remain unknown.
Bello converted the state’s assets into his personal properties, selling some to his allies, and was even accused of impiety upon assuming his high office. Although Kogi State’s allocation increased significantly during his tenure, courtesy of bailout funds and budget support programs from the former President, Muhammadu Buhari, Bello, who ascended to power without contesting a general election, considered himself above ordinary mortals.
Under his reign, the culture of widespread theft and lawlessness thrived, with the state being ruled with an iron fist. He subjugated the state assembly, manipulated the judiciary, and treated local government chairpersons as mere aides.
Employing tactics akin to a lion, Bello manipulated election results and silenced dissenters, resorting to violence as seen in the murder of Okwor Ejule and the burning of Mrs. Salome Abu. Now, faced with allegations of corruption, he evades authorities, rumored to have fled his own residence via various means.
As the federal government and its agencies pursue him, we await to see whether the lion of Kogi will display the courage and boldness traditionally associated with his kind, or if his actions will betray his reputation.
Usman Okai Austin CCA
Writes from Abuja