Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state, has told Dino
Melaye, a senator representing Kogi west, that he
“can’t use violence to revive his drowning political
career”.

In a statement by Petra Onyegbule, his spokesperson,
the governor also blamed Melaye for the death a
protester in the state.

There were series of disturbing incidents in the state
on Monday.

Melaye escaped after unknown gunmen attacked him
as he was rounding off his speech at a rally in front of
Kogi State Polytechnic.

The invaders were in possession of guns and
cutlasses.

Traffic on Lokoja-Abuja highway was disrupted for
almost one hour as motorists abandoned their vehicles
and scuttled to safety.

Traders at Lokoja main market also hurriedly
abandoned their wares and escaped into nearby
bushes and houses.

A student of the polytechnic simply identified as Saka
Seidu and one other person were said to have been
shot dead while two operatives of the Dapartment of
State Service (DSS) attached to Melaye sustained
gunshot injuries.

The senator’s Prado Jeep was riddled with bullets and
was towed to the police headquarters in Lokoja.

Reacting to the disturbing incidents, Bello urged the
senator to “desist from further plunging the state into
needless political crisis capable of threatening the
peace and security”.

“The governor sincerely regrets the unfortunate
incident and calls on the people, youth and students of
Kogi to remain calm, law-abiding and refrain from
taking laws into their hands in the face of imminent
threat to their life and security, whilst assuring them of
continued safety and maintenance of security in the
state,” Bello said in a statement.

“He is appalled that despite his commitment towards
ensuring safety and security for the indigenes and
inhabitants of the state and endeavour to rid the state
of insecurity and political thuggery, the embattled
senator remains hell-bent on causing mayhem in the
state in a bid to save his drowning political career.

“He hereby reiterates his firm commitment to ensuring
continuous security and safety of lives and properties
in the state as he vows not to relent in his
administration’s lofty strides in securing the life of
every inhabitant in the state.

“The governor calls on young people to desist from
being readily available as cheap tools to malicious
politicians’ devilish use and manipulation. He
reiterated that their lives are precious and should not
be sacrificed on the altar of any selfish politician’s
political expediency.

“He called on the authorities to expedite action on the
petition to ensure there is no repeat of today’s
unfortunate incident.”

TheCable