Panic has gripped Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state over an order by the Presidency to Zenith Bank PLC for transcript of Kogi state government’s transaction since the past three years.
A senior member of the state government who does not want his name mentioned because he is not authorised to speak made this known to Observer Times.
According to him, Governor Yahaya Bello has been in a state of unrest since the past days over this development. He went further to say that the Governor christened the latest move by the Presidency as betrayal of his loyalty to the government of Kogi state.
The source further stated that President Muhammadu Buhari took this latest decision due to several reports and petitions against Yahaya Bello. The President had become so worried that Governor Bello is yet to pay civil servants and pensioners their complete earnings since he assumed office as Governor of Kogi state despite over Two hundred billion naira he has received as statutory allocation, bailout funds, Paris club refund and other revenues accrued to the state.
Meanwhile, findings showed that the Presidency got frustrated by the reports from Kogi state and complaints from some appointees of federal government officials from Kogi state where they complained that the attitude of Yahaya Bello may cost the APC 2019 election.
The presidential source who wants to be kept anonymous, further stated that an order for the statement of Kogi State Government’s account domiciled with Zenith bank PLC has been made by the Presidency to the bank with a view to ascertain movement of state funds. He said a similar order has been extended to Fidelity bank, Access bank, and Union bank.
These allegations have not been independently verified.