IBADAN, Nigeria (VOICE Of NAIJA)- A video clip of Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, bragging that he could handle a gun is trending on social media.
In the trending video seen by Sahara Reporters, the governor who is neither a personnel of the military or paramilitary, nor a member of any security organisation boasts about his marksmanship.
He also said he is ready to deal with anyone saying bad things about his administration in the state.
“If I hear any rumour or hear anybody murmuring, even if it’s in the person’s room and I said I want to see the person and you cannot provide him, then be prepared to be the person’s substitute,” Bello who contested the ruling All Progressives Congress presidential primary was heard saying.
“That’s why I’m saying it loud and clear for everyone to hear. Not just Ihima, not just about Ebira but the whole of Kogi. Because some of those people who are prepared to do evil, may be some of them are older than me.
“You cannot hold gun more than me. For that, everyone should receive and disseminate the message. Record and play it for them that I’m ready this time around.”
In December 2019, thugs said to be loyal to Bello and the ruling APC burnt opposition Peoples Democratic Party’s women leader, Salome Abuh, to death over some scuffle during the governorship election.
In April 2021, violent youths working for the Kogi governor descended on two middle-aged protesters who were pasting Buhari-Must-Go posters in Lokoja.
The APC youths flogged the two protesters, filmed them and brutalised them before they were later handed over to policemen attached to the Kogi State Government House.
Few days after, the state government in a statement supported the mobbing of the youths, saying they were from Benue State.
“The Kogi State Government wishes to commend the gallant and ever vigilant youths of the state for rising to the occasion to crush the ungodly campaign by some imported and sponsored youths who came to the State to campaign against President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The sponsored youths congregated at Benue State from where they moved to Kogi State and began to paint walls as well as display anti-Buhari posters that were printed in a South-South state,” the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo had said.
During the APC presidential primary in April, 2022, some of Bello’s supporters were arrested by the police after guns and ammunition were found on them.
Some of them were arrested in vehicles branded with the logo of the Kogi governor.