…I have nothing to say, Governor Bello fires back
Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, has attacked the Governor of the state over his alleged silence on his assassination attempt which occurred at his (Melaye) country home over the weekend.
TheNewsGuru.com reports that some unknown gunmen had on Saturday night made an attempt on Melaye’s life when they attacked his home at Ayetoro-Gbede, Ijumu local government area of Kogi State.
Melaye, frowning at the governor’s perceived silence over the issue said his (Bello) acts “speaks volumes”.
He described the assassination attempt as unfortunate, regrettable, highly disturbing and very strange to the socio-political culture of Kogi West senatorial district.
The statement reads, “Senator Dino Melaye declared his unrelented resolution to continue to champion democratic courses targeted at good governance, masses empowerment and the Rule of Law. He promised never to relent in his fight against corruption, maladministration, impunity and nepotism.
“No amount of threat, blackmail, name-calling and harassment will stop him from being the voice of the voiceless and the mouthpiece of the common man.
“It is outrageous and high sense of disbelief that four days after the attempt on his life, the Kogi State governor, the Chief Security Officer of the State, has neither called nor visited to know the state of affairs with him as a serving Senator from Kogi State. The Governor’s deafening silence speaks volumes.”
The lawmaker stressed that long in the history of Kogi West, various political gladiators had at various times, had their differences, but said none had ever been escalated to the level of attempt on life.
“Chief Awoniyi and Chief Daniyan (both of blessed memory) had their strong differences. Senator Dino Melaye and Prince Olusola Akanmode also had their differences. Arc. Stephen Olorunfemi and Prince Olusola Akanmode and Tunde Ogbeha, also had their differences.
“Senator Dino Melaye and Senator Smart Adeyemi had their serious political differences. None of these differences was ever escalated to the horrendous level of assassination attempt.
“The recent incident is alien to Okun people and to Kogi West. The advent of Yahaya Bello as Governor and Taofiq Isa as Local Government administrator in the political firmament of Kogi state has brought this unfortunate socio-political paradigm shift,” he added.
Meanwhile, in a swift reaction, the Governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, has said he was not aware of the assassination attempt since Senator Melaye did not brief him (Bello) about it officially.
The governor in a reaction through his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Kingsley Fanwo said he won’t join issues with Melaye, whom he claimed was being hunted by his past.
The statement by Fanwao reads, “We do not want to join issues with Senator Dino Melaye. He is an adult and can explain the path he has chosen to tread. If he accused the Governor of complacency in the so called assassination attempt, those who have been following the trend from the day his group promised to make Kogi ungovernable will not be surprised.
“The case is under investigation by the Police and making serious statements about it may be seen to be subjudice. We have been witnessing imaginary attacks in the state and when the Governor travelled to Kogi East, his antagonists also alleged he was attacked even when the opposite was the case.
“As a government, we believe the Nigeria Police is capable of getting to the root of the allegations and do justice to it once and for all. Governor Yahaya Bello is redefining leadership in Kogi State, therefore, the plan of “One Day One Trouble” will not work.
“We are in the news for the roads we are constructing, the agriculture we are reforming, the healthcare we are making affordable and the walls of insecurity we are pulling down. We have departed from their own ways.
“The governor also said Dino has not called him in person to report the assassination attempt on his life to him.
“You people need to ask Senator Dino Melaye if he reported the incident to the Governor who is the Chief Security Officer of the state. If you didn’t tell him anything, he too will have nothing to say. The reports of the security agencies will surely untie the riddles surrounding the allegations.
“Security should never be politicised in our state. We will not be distracted. We know the plans but if they know Governor Yahaya Bello, they would know he is too focused to be distracted, too courageous to be intimidated. We are waiting for the reports of the investigation after which we shall be properly guided to make informed comments. Nigerians know what is happening.”
TheNewsGuru.com reports that the police has however arrested seven suspects in connection with the assassination attempt.