“Unwarranted retaliation” – Northern group reacts to Bello’s travails

The North Central Integrity Group has alleged that the recent move by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, is politically motivated.

The EFCC had declared Bello wanted for alleged misappropriation of funds and money laundering during his eight-year tenure as Kogi governor.

This followed an unsuccessful attempt by the anti-graft agency to arrest Bello at his Abuja residence on Wednesday.

In a statement on Saturday, convener of the North Central Integrity Group, Musa Audu, decried the EFCC’s undue haste in investigating Bello over the alleged fraud case.

“The North Central Integrity Group strongly condemns the politically driven attacks on former Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Yahaya Bello,” Audu said.

“While we respect the EFCC mandate, we denounce the undue haste in investigating Governor Bello’s alleged involvement in a fraud case. This rush appears to be orchestrated by adversaries seeking to undermine the North Central’s interests.

“Recalling the APC’s decision to allocate the National Chairmanship position to the North Central, Senator Abdullahi Adamu’s subsequent resignation necessitated a replacement.

“However, the appointment of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje from the Northwest over a North Central nominee is a clear departure from fairness. The North Central’s objections to this injustice have drawn unwarranted retaliation because Bello is believed to be their choice.

“This campaign against Bello is unmistakably political, aiming to thwart the North Central’s rightful claim to the APC’s National Chairmanship position.”

Audu urged President Bola Tinubu to restore fairness by reinstating the North Central’s rightful claim to the national chairmanship position to prevent further escalation of the matter.