Kogi: It is Not Yet Time to Start Working to Succeed Bello, Says Senator Adeyemi

…Speaks on power shift

The Senator representing Kogi West, Kogi State, Smart Adeyemi (APC), has stated that it is not yet time for anyone to speak or start working towards succeeding the state Governor, Yahaya Bello, in 2024.

Adeyemi, who disclosed this at his country home in Iyara while speaking on the sideline of the Iyara Day celebration last weekend, stated that any appointees who by now is planning on how to succeed the governor is not only inconsiderate to the governor’s presidential ambition, but should be seen as an enemy of the governor.

He explained that what is expedient for political actors in the All Progressives Congress (APC) is to first unite behind the governor to achieve his presidential ambition, as the governorship race is still afar off.

According to Adeyemi, “As for me, I believe for now that nobody should talk about governorship ambition or power shift. Nobody should be doing one programme or another to curry favour for the gubernatorial ticket, or weather in school competition, debate or whatever disguised programmes, because the presidential ambition of the governor should be paramount.

“Any appointee or political player that is doing such is an enemy of the governor. Such person does not love the governor because it shows inconsideration to his ambition.

“If the governor became the president, that is like getting the ‘elephant heads’. So why should we then be preoccupied with small fries when we are targeting the elephant heads?”

The lawmaker noted that he is behind Bello’s presidential ambition because he (Bello) remains the best presidential hopeful that can turn around the fortunes of Nigeria and make it one of the strongest economies in the world.

“Yahaya Bello is a youthful governor with so much energy, intellectual capacity and administrative acumen with an enviable record. He possessed what it takes to take the country to enviable heights.

“The governor has handled a tripartite state like Kogi with a detribalised mind, devoid of ethnic and religious sentiments, and he can reciprocate the leadership acumen at the higher stage,” he stated.

The senator said although it is not out of place for Kogi West to agitate for power shift for the zone, however, it’s not needed now.

“The people of Kogi West should believe the governor for his promise to be fair, just and equitable to all the senatorial district. The governor still repeated that the most important thing about leadership is justice fairness and equity,” he noted.

Adeyemi, however, stated that nobody should link him with any governorship ambition, just as he highlighted the projects and programme for the senatorial district before the end of the year.

He said: “Our bursary scheme will start by next month from Lokoja/Kogi federal constituency, and we are targeting 500 students for the first phase and 1,000 students for the next phase.

“We are also starting our health insurance scheme for aged people in the senatorial district from 70 years and above. We are doing this because we want to compliment the governor’s efforts in the health sector.”