Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has denied the allegations of misappropriating over N11 billion belonging to the state, threatening legal action against the originators of the allegations.
The governor noted that the unfounded allegations were only meant to tarnish his image and that of his government that had been working to liberate the state.
Governor Bello, who spoke through his special adviser on media and strategy, Abdulmakik Abdulkareem, said the allegations were baseless and unsubstantiated.
“It is farcical and preposterously derogatory for a national daily to write such a tempestuous streak of indefensible innuendos aimed at damaging the integrity of the government of the state.
“The administration of Governor Bello has remained the first in the history of the state to publicly declare the income and expenditure of government with copious references to state government accounts at different banks. This is the opium of transparency.
“We have no reason to respond to the allegations as we have set the record straight on many occasions. But, the public must begin to see the character of those who aspired to lead them. It has become crystal clear that they do not love the state.
“Today, Governor Bello has mobilised contractors to rehabilitate our roads in all the senatorial districts.Today, over 200 utility vehicles have been procured for delivery to security agencies to make Kogi people safe.
“The achievements of Governor Bello and their own failure, has formed a chemistry of hate and a delicate determination of the enemies of the Kogi people to wage a relentless war against the people. Since they are so detached from the people,
“Aside the political desperation to intimidate the judiciary, it is also instructive to note that the decision of the Kogi State government to look into why high-class contracts failed in the state, has no doubt jolted the incurably corrupt accusers.
“We make bold to say that every contract awarded by the current administration in the state went through due process. The selling point of our dear party is transparency.
There can’t be development when resources are siphoned by people who are charged with the responsibility of safeguarding those resources for the common good.
“The ongoing projects in the state are speaking for the government. We are silencing our detractors with solid performance. A number of approvals have been given by the state executive council for more projects to be executed .
“With improved security across the state, those who celebrated our security challenge are now shifting ground to peddling falsehood. Governor Bello should be judged by his achievements.”