In a recent interview with Newsmen in Abuja, former senator and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Chief Alex Kadiri, expressed deep alarm over the escalating political violence in Kogi State, particularly in the lead-up to the November 11th gubernatorial election.
Senator Alex Kadiri, who represented Kogi East in the Senate from 1999 to 2003, highlighted the disturbing trend of bloodshed within the state, citing a recent incident where five thugs allegedly killed two members of the APC during what was described as intra-party wrangling in Anyigba.
Kadiri underscored the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that both the state governor, Yahaya Bello, and the ruling party, APC, should be deeply concerned.
He expressed his disappointment at the lack of action from the party leadership, recounting an encounter with the National Chairman of APC in Kogi, who appeared unperturbed despite the dire circumstances in the state.
“The day I saw the National Chairman of APC in Kogi laughing away and boasting in Government House, it is a big shame.
What did he see in Lokoja to warrant him laughing after the governor’s 7 years in office?” Kadiri questioned.
“The roads are so bad that you will not believe that it is a local Government headquarters and he went there with his team and were there laughing.
Yahaya Bello promised them he would deliver Kogi State. My party is at fault.”
Kadiri further criticized the security agencies for their apparent inability to address the proliferation of firearms and the identity of the individuals responsible for the violence.
He challenged their investigative methods, which often involved seeking information from him, and he stressed the urgent need for security agencies to protect the people of Kogi State.
“They ought to know the fact that my people are dying every day, one person today, two persons another day.
Why, why. Is democracy by force?” he questioned.
“Everybody is quiet not because they like what is going on in Kogi.
Everybody is scared and afraid for his life.”
Despite facing attempts within his party to suspend or expel him, Kadiri affirmed his commitment to speaking the truth and standing up for the people of Kogi State.
“I am aware of all that. I have not resigned from the party, and I will continue to speak the truth to power as long as I am alive,” he asserted.
“My country is burning, my state is dying, I cannot fold my hands and keep quiet.”
In conclusion, Kadiri decried the ongoing political rivalry between the APC and SDP in Kogi State, labeling it as a shame to democracy.
Efforts to obtain a response from the State Commissioner of Information, Evangelist Kingsly Fanwo, remained unanswered at the time of this report.
