The Kogi state government has denied a statement published by an online news platform, Kogi Today, which stated that Honorable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs ,Engr Abubakar Ohere said no true Ebira man would vote an Igala man.
The state government in a statement signed by Fanwo Kingsley,
Director General Of Media and Publicity to the Governorship’s stated “We wish to set the record straight that the Honorable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs did not make such statements either privately or publicly.
It is unfortunate that a news platform that should dwell on the new found unity of the people of the state under the New Direction Administration Of Alh. Yahaya Bello has been found fanning the embers of division which was the culture pre-2016.
We call on the news platform and its sponsors to desist from concocting fake reports that could divide the state such as the one published against one of the most popular Apostles of the United Kogi State as enunciated by the administration of Alh.Yahaya Bello.
New Direction is about service to the people in a selfless and united manner, devoid of ethnic or class considerations.
The choice of Alh.Yahaya Bello by the people of Kogi State was a reward for his integrative dispositions; a situation which has won him the confidence of the generality of the people of the State.
Engr Abubakar Ohere did not and would not make such statements.
They were fabricated by the opposition, who jolted by the overwhelming acceptance of Governor Yahaya Bello by the Kogi electorate, has resolved to stick with a divisive agenda to set the people of the state state against one another.
For almost four years, Governor Yahaya Bello has displayed uncanny commitment to the unity, oneness and greatness of our dear state. The Governor has closed ethnic, religious and class lines to give every Kogite the room to contribute to the greatness of the state.”
The state government further urged members of the public and people of Kogi State to dismiss the fabricated report as it did not come from Engr Abubakar Ohere.
“Engr Ohere respects the greatness in the oneness of our dear state and shall therefore continue to promote the ideals that have set the Yahaya Bello Administration apart from others before it.
We call on the Media to begin to deploy the big stick on recalcitrant media organizations who allow themselves to be used as incubators of falsehood and agents of ethnic and religious divisions. Journalism should be a platform for unity, cohesion and development.” the statement added.
