Bello: Dialogue Best Way to Resolve Agitation

By Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has called agitators and separatists, who were aggrieved about the state of the nation, to table their concerns and grievances through the proper channels in order to resolve them.

Bello, who has declared to contest the 2023 presidential election, added that dialogue “is the best means to resolve agitations or any sectional grievance nationwide.”

He canvassed this position at the Government House, Umuahia Friday during a meeting with his Abia State counterpart, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, urging the agitators to embrace peace in the interest of national unity.

Bello, who was in Umuahia for a burial ceremony of the mother of one of his friends, Chief Emenike Ugochi, restated faith in and commitment to the unity of Nigeria, saying the country would never divide.

He said: “I want each and everyone of us to continue to preach peace, unity and togetherness. Some sections of this country may be agitated due to one thing or the other. But it is only on roundtable such agitations can be best resolved.

Bello, therefore, urged all agitators and separatists, aggrieved about the state of this country, to sit at the table and pass through the proper channels to resolve them.

He said: “I have always maintained this position that Nigeria can never divide. We can have differences, skirmishes here and there which by the grace of God, we shall overcome them and Nigeria will remain together.”

He commended Ikpeazu for being friendly and hospitable, saying the Abia governor “has been a very good friend. He was the first governor that called directly to congratulate him when he was first sworn-in as governor of Kogi State in January 2016.