2023: Alleged Smear Campaign Worries Gov Bello, Kogi Govt
BY VICTOR BUORO – Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Kogi State government is alarmed at what it described as an alleged smear campaign against Governor Yahaya Bello.
Coming against the backdrop of his much-touted presidential ambition come 2023, the Kogi State Information Commissioner Kingsley Fanwo said current development in the polity smacks of obvious moves to tarnish the governor’s hard-earned image.
Fanwo, who spoke at the quarterly media briefing of the State government, said; “It is unfortunate that some disgruntled political liabilities are still bent on launching a smear campaign against the person of Governor Yahaya Bello, and the government of Kogi State.”
According to him; “Fresh on the heels of the discredited allegations against the Kogi State government by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), backed by some other powerful vested interests in the country, the Kogi State government is aware of several plots to paint it black in the public perception regularly from now till 2023.”
To further support his allegations of a possible conspiracy by some unidentified groups and individuals to rubbish Governor Bello’s good works in Kogi State, the Information Commissioner claimed that several bloggers and media-guns-for-hire are on retainership contract to have the public space regularly awash with issues of embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds by the Governor Bello-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
Moving to pre-empt likely disturbing events in the coming days, weeks, and months Fanwo hinted that there are plans to bandy around some outlandish figures which represent more money than the administration has handled at any one particular time in its over five years in office.
“We hope that you gentlemen of the press will be vigilant and activate your investigative offices before running with such fabricated and unfounded allegations.”
The Kogi State government Spokesman, while shying away from confirming his principal’s ambition to occupy the nation’s number seat, said; “Despite intense pressure and lobbying from across the country and even Nigerians in Diaspora, Governor Bello has not told anyone that he is running for President in 2023.
“His Excellency’s position is that he will give an appropriate answer to his supporters at the appropriate time.”
On those behind the purported smear campaigns, Fanwo said; “Intelligence at our disposal shows that a certain George, whose other details we prefer to keep for now, is at the centre of this conspiracy.
“If and when his madness manifests, we will respond to him with the applicable legal force. Our gentleness must not be mistaken for cowardice.
“We are aware that some vested persons, smarting from the failure of the EFCC adventure, have decided to move to the next stage. We know their plans up to the 12th stage.
“The first one was to go and concoct something through the EFCC; that has been sufficiently punctured. Now, they have moved to go and concoct statements and allegations that some billions of naira have been embezzled.”
The Commissioner, who assured that the Bello administration has and will continue to work for the overall good of Kogi State and its people, said; “We have been able to apply the resources of the state for the good of the people and that’s why we can achieve all that we have achieved.”
“We just want the members of the public to be sufficiently aware that the reason they are doing this is to score political goals and paint the governor, who is already enjoying the support of many Nigerians, with their black grudge”, Fanwo said
