BEVERLY HILLS, April 18, (THEWILL) – The senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye on Wednesday declared that the silence of his state governor, Yahaya Bello over the assassination attempt on his life which occurred on Easter eve speaks volume.
The lawmaker, who expressed shock that the state, especially Kogi West senatorial district could go low in its politics of bitterness to the extent of assassination, pointed out that the development is the first time in the history of the district.
A statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Gideon Ayodele described the situation as unfortunate, regretable, highly disturbing and very strange to the socio-political culture of Kogi West senatorial district.
Declaring that God is his “Rock and Salvation”, Melaye pledged never to relent in his fight against corruption, maladministration, impunity and nepotism.
In the statement, “Senator Dino Melaye declared his unrelented resolution to continue to champion democratic courses targeted at good governance, masses empowerment and the Rule of Law.
“No amount of threat, blackmail, name-calling and harassment will stop him from being the voice of the voiceless and the mouthpiece of the common man.
“It is outrageous and high sense of disbelief that four days after the attempt on his life, the Kogi State governor, the Chief Security Officer of the State, has neither called nor visited to know the state of affairs with him as a serving Senator from Kogi State. The Governor’s deafening silence speaks volumes”.
The lawmaker stated that in the long history of Kogi West, various political gladiators have at various times, had their differences but stressed that none had ever been escalated to the level of attempt on life.
“Chief Awoniyi and Chief Daniyan (both of blessed memory) had their strong differences. Senator Dino Melaye and Prince Olusola Akanmode also had their differences. Arc. Stephen Olorunfemi and Prince Olusola Akanmode and Tunde Ogbeha, also had their differences. Senator Dino Melaye and Senator Smart Adeyemi had their serious political differences. None of these differences was ever escalated to the horrendous level of assassination attempt.
“The recent incident is alien to Okun people and to Kogi West. The advent of Yahaya Bello as Governor and Taofiq Isa as Local Government administrator in the political firmament of Kogi state has brought this unfortunate socio-political paradigm shift,” he said.
Melaye therefore requested Kogi elders, traditional leaders and opinion leaders to call for order and restraint, stressing that “It may be Dino Melaye today, we don’t know who is next. The aggitation for good governance, payment of worker’s salaries and welfare of pensioners should not be punished with assassination”.
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