Civil servants in Kogi State took to some major streets Friday, July 19, 2019 in the state capital, Lokoja, demanding an end to the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello of All Progressive Congress (APC).
The latest protest wasn’t the first, state workers embarked on a similar demonstration a few days back. But the use of a coffin in the latest protest makes it symbolic.
In a video clip shared by Senator Dino Melaye, the civil servants could be heard chanting, “A ti gbe baba rele” meaning the end of an era.
Melaye is one of the contenders for November 16, 2019 governorship election in the state under the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
In the previous protests, civil servants accused the APC governor of owing them between 8 to 38 months’ salary arrears although the governor has defended himself saying he only owes four months.
On July 10, 2019 Mr. Bello reportedly stormed the National Secretariat of APC in Abuja with his supporters to pick the nomination forms for November 16 governorship.
Already, there are speculations that there confusion in the ruling APC. On July 12, another group made up of 37 aspirants endorsed the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to select its candidate for the election through an indirect primary.
The group under the auspices of Coalition of Kogi APC Aspirants said they were confident of beating Governor Yahaya Bello at the primary because they believe that they have control of the delegates.
A spokesman for the group, Comrade Edime Godwin Amade, had claimed that the group of 20 aspirants kicking against the indirect mode of the primary was working for the downfall of the party in the state, pointing out that the NWC should not allow the group to pull the wool over their eyes.
Amade pointed out that the state governor had built the party in the state to an enviable height but insisted that it was not an indication that he would win the primary election.
He vowed not to step down for Governor Bello as they are already putting their resources together to collect nomination form, NAN reported.
Opposition party in the state is also strategising to kick out the governor from Lord Lugard Government House come November 16 poll.
Watch the video here:
