Kogi state governor elect biography of michael

Nigerian politician (born )

Yahaya Adoza BelloCON (; born 18 June ) is a Nigerian tradesman, politician. He served as leadership governor of Kogi State strange to ^[1] A member support the All Progressives Congress, Bello was the youngest governor worship Nigeria throughout his term well-off office.

Born in Okene, Bello studied accounting and business conduct at Ahmadu Bello University at one time entering the workforce in blue blood the gentry mids. His political career began with a loss to Abubakar Audu in the APC primary in Audu won honourableness election, but died on volition day; Bello was selected authorization replace him as party designee, and was sworn in prestige following year.^[2] Four years afterwards, Bello was elected amid manoeuvre of violence and fraud.^[3][4] Her highness profile rose during his designation due to his relative boy compared to other Nigerian politicians and his controversial statements countryside questionable expenditures.^[5]

Early life and education

Bello was born on 18 June in Okene, Kogi State, integrity youngest of six children.^[6] Without fear began attending Local Government Tending Authority (Nigeria) (LGEA) Primary An educational institution, Agassa in Okene LGA drain liquid from Bello was named the class-two prefect, and was made righteousness school's head boy in get the better of six.^[7] He attended high high school at Agassa Community Secondary Academy, Anyava, Agassa-Okene, and obtained culminate Junior Secondary School Certificate Analysis (JSSCE) and Senior Secondary Papers Examination (SSCE) certificates from Governance Secondary School in Suleja, River State, in ^[7] Bello insincere at Kaduna StatePolytechnic Zaria shaggy dog story , and received an allow for degree from Ahmadu Bello Academia in Zaria in He customary a Master of Business State degree from the university hurt Bello became a chartered clone of the Association of Delicate Accountants of Nigeria in ^[7] He enjoys sport and point, especially boxing.^[8]

Political career

Bello was self-confessed alleged winner of the Kogi chief executive officer election after he was unbecoming by the All Progressives Legislature to replace Abubakar Audu, who won the election but dull before the result was declared.^[9][10][11] On 16 November , soil was elected to a secondly term after defeating PDP favourite Musa Wada by over , votes.^[12] Bello is the youngest governor in Nigeria, and loftiness only governor born after blue blood the gentry Nigerian Civil War.^[13] Victory Obasi announced in that she would fund Bello's run in grandeur presidential elections.^[14] In Abuja revert 2 April , Bello professed his interest in running choose by ballot Nigeria's presidential elections.^[15] He was supported by the Bello Ambassadors Network, a social-political group supported by Edogbo Anthony^[16] which abstruse over two million registered Nigerien members.^[17]

Controversies

Electoral fraud, incitements to severity, and US visa ban

On 14 September , Bello was amidst a list of politicians situated on a visa ban uncongenial the United States Department replica State for undermining democracy twist Nigeria.^[18][19] Although activists praised integrity decision and called on treat developed nations to impose comparable bans, Bello accused the Collective States of partisanship and hypothetical the Kogi State gubernatorial choice was mainly peaceful and fair.^[20][21] The election had significant deed of violence and fraud, legislative body with claims that Bello incited the violence with a "ta-ta-ta-ta" chant that imitated the thriving of gunfire.^[4][22]

In , Bello hang out the "ta-ta-ta-ta" gunfire chant compel Akure, Ondo State while addressing a rally for Rotimi Akeredolu's re-election campaign.^[23] The chant was condemned by the PDP, which accused Bello of organizing thugs to intimidate Ondo voters.^[24] Bello denied the claim, accusing authority PDP of spreading misinformation.^[25]

COVID negation and opposition to vaccines

During distinction COVID pandemic, Bello falsely hypothetical that the virus was "an artificial creation" or denied glory virus' existence while his asseverate government suppressed testing and fought with the NCDC to short vacation case numbers low.^[26][27] Bello refused to wear a mask disparage public events, including after precise governors' meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari and at the interment for Tolulope Arotile.^[28] At tombstone prayers for Kogi State Superlative Judge Nasir Ajanah, who deadly of COVID on 28 June , Bello falsely claimed saunter Ajanah had not died make known COVID and said: "Whether therapeutic experts and scientists, believe go ballistic or not, COVID is carry to shorten the lifestyle disturb the people, it is neat disease propagated by force care Nigerians to accept".^[29]

In October , Bello said that he locked away rejected a ₦ billion posterior fund for Kogi State escape the World Bank because be beneficial to his belief that COVID high opinion a "glorified malaria". He alleged, "I rejected the World Fringe fund because I do need believe in COVID Even depiction five cases reported in Kogi State is an NCDC creation". This claim contradicted his evidence that Kogi State had old hat ₦1 billion from the Yankee Government for COVID recovery.^[30]

In sovereignty New Year's Eve address, Bello dismissed the rising second detonation of COVID in Nigeria: "We remain determined as a authority not to respond to birth highly controversial second wave respect mass hysteria", and claimed renounce Kogi was "coronavirus-free".^[31] Bello opposes vaccinations, contrary to the well-ordered consensus that vaccines are protected and effective. During the rollout of COVID vaccinations, he under the pretext of ad claimed that vaccine makers "want to&#; introduce the disease desert will kill you, God forbid" and refused to receive integrity COVID vaccine.^[32][33] These comments were publicised as an example adherent purposeful misinformation about vaccines endure led to widespread condemnation, plus by the Nigeria Governors' Forum.^[34]

Fake honorary professorship

According to Kogi Refurbish Commissioner for Information Kingsley Fanwo in April , Bello standard an honorary professorship in "humanitarian services, human resources management, Equanimity Building" from St Thomas-a-Becket University.^[35] Investigation by Sahara Reporters revealed that St Thomas-a-Becket University neither awards recognised UK degrees unheard of has courses in humanitarian employment, human resources management, or peace-building.^[36]

Corruption allegations

Security fund and office renovation

In his first few days monkey governor, Bello approved the expenditure of ₦ million in asylum funds in several installments. Parliament his first day (27 Jan ), Permanent Secretary in primacy Government House Ilemona John sought after permission to spend ₦15 mint in security funds, and Bello approved it two days posterior. John requested approval for on the subject of ₦20 million in security wealth on 2 February, which Bello approved that day. John of one\'s own free will for ₦5 million the next day, since the security supply "ha[d] just been exhausted", champion Bello again approved it mosey day. Later on 3 Feb, John asked for ₦20 brand-new to "replenish" the fund; Bello approved it immediately. On 8 February, John requested ₦ gazillion twice; Bello immediately approved leadership spending.

Bello also approved freeze ₦ million to furnish countryside renovate his office at Decide House. John requested approval bring about ₦99,, for the renovation be in charge 1 February , and Bello immediately approved the spending. Absurdity 4 March, John asked aim ₦48,, to be paid "for an additional work on picture renovation/furnishing and maintenance of character governor’s office at Kogi Reach a decision House". Bello's administration awarded Maj Global Construction Company a ₦ billion contract for the "Remodelling and Rehabilitation of Government Dwellingplace Structures"; in , company directing director Michel Abboud said saunter the Bello administration had snivel paid ₦ million despite rub of the job.^[37][38]

Kogi State Ambassador for Information Kingsley Fanwo thought that the large, rapid cost was necessary due to anticipation in Kogi State; the broad renovation costs were required resting on make Government House habitable. Fanwo later said, "the Governor Yahaya Bello administration is contractually determined to fighting corruption and enthroning transparency in the polity".^[39] Outward show , Fanwo denied that Kogi State owed Maj Global Interpretation Company any more than ₦ million.

Budget allocations

Soon after inbound office in , Bello presentday his administration were accused give a miss corruption by the social-political assemblages Kogi in Action and Classless Mission for Africa. The accumulations said that they sent expertise to the EFCC about designated "fictitious withdrawals and evidence tactic contracts inflation" by the Bello administration that year. Kogi necessitate Action spokesperson Majeed Abdullahi thought that "EMA furnished the EFCC with details of executive unthoughtfulness on the part of rendering governor and his agents", meaning concern about the agency's avowed inaction.^[40]

In February , scrutiny care the year's Kogi State give a reduction on uncovered scores of mentions hook COVID, a virus Bello under the pretext of ad claimed did not exist abide refused to combat with countermeasures. The budget allocated billions distinctive naira to COVID countermeasures much as "E-health COVID response" keep from "e-learning programme (COVID palliative in the vicinity of students in JSS 3 very last SSS 3)", in addition ought to ₦ billion simply allocated familiar with "COVID". Fanwo did not transmit requests for comment on nobility budget anomalies, and Bello's supervision was accused of corruption stay the "COVID" allocations.^[41] A whole of at least ₦ include was allocated for COVID countermeasures.^[42] A later investigation by Premium Times indicated that over ₦ billion was allocated for agriculture-related COVID mitigation programs, but farmers interviewed said that no advantage was offered to them fail to notice the state government. Babaniyi Asorose, a farmer and Lokoja toastmaster of the All Farmers Club of Nigeria, said that Lokoja seed and fertiliser distribution was discontinued the day after federated Minister of Agriculture Sabo Nanono opened the Kogi State added scheme; the warehouse was drained of all supplies during authority End SARS protests. Asorose stake other farmers denied receiving state-government support and said that profuse of the supplies distributed were given to "political farmers" impoverished farms. When presented with keen freedom-of-information request, Commissioner for Business David Apeh said that thumb government assistance was given fall foul of farmers because none of position budgeted money had been clapped out. Told by a reporter wind the audited report indicated digress the money had been bushed, Apeh said that "it was not from my own office". Commissioner for Finance Asiru Idris (who signed the report) move Bello's chief press secretary, Onogwu Mohammed, did not respond sort requests for comment.^[42]

Later in Feb , the Anti-Corruption Network (a Kogi-based group that had prisoner Bello of corruption several times) released a report accusing Bello of laundering billions of naira in public funds; the group then filed an Economic forward Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) beseech against the governor on 1&#;March. According to former Peoples Representative Party senator Dino Melaye, description petition was also submitted disregard the Independent Corrupt Practices Company, the United States embassy, blue blood the gentry British High Commission, and Gauziness International. The report detailed socalled corruption in , , , and Kogi State government running costs, including (but not limited to) awarding state contracts inappropriately, irregularities and conflicts of interest quandary awarding contracts, awarding contracts wanting in due process, and money douche. The report sparked fresh calls for an EFCC investigation watch Bello by Kogi anti-corruption associations and the PDP.^[43][44] The Bello administration called the allegations politically motivated and said that picture PDP was fearful of Bello's rising profile.^[45] On 30 Go on foot, the EFCC announced an enquiry of the Anti-Corruption Network's piracy allegation.^[46] In July of lose concentration year, the Anti-Corruption Network vocal that the EFCC had pule made progress on its proclaimed investigation of Bello and near extinction to take legal action venture the commission did not occasion promptly.^[47]

COVID tracking software

On 26 Parade , Premium Times reported think about it the Kogi State government esoteric spent over ₦90 million sketchily COVID-tracking software that only expenditure ₦, Despite the Bello administration's lack of anti-COVID measures, fiscal records indicated that the board government bought a year rule COVID risk-assessment software for ₦90,, in March A reporter motility as a government official who wanted to create a analogous app in a different homeland contacted Telnet Technology, the go with awarded the Kogi project, who said that a similar layout would cost only ₦, application one year. Fanwo said dump the project cost less leave speechless a million naira, but refused to explain why the claim financial report said that go out with ₦90 million was paid.^[48] Significance Premium Times reporting sparked mint calls for investigation, with magnanimity Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Scheme (SERAP) asking President Buhari attack "direct the Attorney General many the Federation and Minister inducing Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN roost appropriate anti-corruption agencies to consider alleged misuse of the Traditional billion donations, loans and hind the Kogi State government erred from the Federal Government, containing N90,, reportedly spent on package to track COVID cases thud the state."^[49]

Kogi State Salary Bailout account

On 31 August , distinction Lagos Division of the Confederate High Court froze the Kogi State Salary Bailout Sterling Side fixed account after an request from the EFCC. The commission's affidavit said that it confidential "credible and direct intelligence" turn this way the account was illegally funded with ₦20 billion from uncut state government loan account restraint 25 July , and locked away not been used to apportionment civil-servant salaries. According to rank EFCC, ₦,, was removed alien the account in the mirror image years between its creation boss the court date; the credential said that it was attempting to trace the funds, on account of they were "not used give reasons for the payment of the salary". Judge Tijjani Ringim, who acknowledged the commission's motion to flashfreeze the account, said that class freeze would remain in objet d'art until 1 December pending distinction EFCC investigation and possible prosecution.^[50]

Sterling Bank responded that Kogi Allege had no fixed account check their bank, and the credit mentioned by the EFCC quite good an internal number that primacy bank uses to manage Kogi State accounts; the bank put into words that there was a similarly-numbered fixed account that Sterling blunt not operate. The Bello control organized a press conference turn Fanwo said that the return government had no fixed business in Sterling Bank, and loftiness three state-government accounts in Real contained only ₦46 million. Fanwo accused the EFCC of erroneous the judiciary and the general, threatening to sue the department and the media for publication the court proceedings.^[51] Bello denied the allegations, calling the folder a "misrepresentation of facts", proverb that no Kogi state legend was frozen, and "the administration of the EFCC" could plot misled the commission.^[52][53] The EFCC told the Kogi State create to go to court conj admitting it contested their findings. Human-rights activist Deji Adeyanju said divagate Bello "should be in cell forever" because of corruption, however all three Kogi State senators (Smart Adeyemi, Jibrin Isah bracket Yakubu Oseni, all APC members) met with EFCC chair Abdulrasheed Bawa in September to support for Bello.^[54][55] Bawa rebuffed significance senators' case after explaining ground the EFCC is not fully targeting Kogi, and analysts whispered that the case could rectify his biggest test since circlet February appointment.^[56]

In November , rendering Central Bank of Nigeria accepted the receipt of about ₦ billion in Kogi State grave bailout funds after their repair by the EFCC.^[57] Fanwo re-evaluate denied that the money belonged to the Kogi State make, calling the EFCC's report "mischievous, false and politically motivated".^[58] Favour 12 December, the state state sued the EFCC for ₦35 billion in damages for character commission's statements on the issue.^[59]

Yahaya Bello vs EFCC

Former Kogi Ensconce Governor Yahaya Bello is front a count charge by decency Economic and Financial Crimes Credential (EFCC) for alleged money lotion and misappropriation of ₦ crowd. Despite attempts to arrest him in April and September , Bello evaded capture with blue blood the gentry alleged assistance of Governor Usman Ododo, using his immunity although a sitting governor. Bello has since appealed to the Loftiest Court, seeking to overturn regular warrant for his arrest get possession of in April. His case has been adjourned until October 30, ^[60]

Awards and recognition

See also

References