Assassination attempt: Melaye express dismay over Bello’s silence

The senator representing Kogi west Dino Melaye has expressed outrage and disbelief that four days after the attempt on his life, the Kogi State governor, the Chief Security Officer of the State, has not shown any concern saying, “The Governor’s deafening silence speaks volumes”.

He said it would have been more honourable for him to have called or visited to know the state of affairs with him as a serving Senator from Kogi State.

This was contained in a press statement which was signed by Ayodele Gideon media aid to the senator which was made available to the Guardian in Lokoja yesterday.

The statement reads, “In the history of Kogi West, various political gladiators have, at various times, had their differences but none had ever been escalated to the level of an 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.”

Continuing it stated, “Senator Dino Melaye and Senator.Smart Adeyemi had their serious political differences. None of these differences was ever escalated to the horrendous level of the assassination attempt.

The senator expressed deep shock over the assassination attempt on his life late on Friday 14th April 2017 in his constituency residence in Aiyetoro-Gbede, Kogi West Senatorial District.

He described the situation as unfortunate, regretable, highly disturbing and very strange to the socio-political.culture of Kogi West senatorial district.

The Senator thanked the Almighty God for sparing his life as he declares that God is his “Rock and Salvation”.

Melaye declared his unrelenting resolution to continue to champion democratic courses targeted at good governance, masses empowerment and the Rule of Law.

He also promised never to relent in his fight against corruption, maladministration, impunity and nepotism.

In his words, “No amount of threat, blackmail, name-calling and/or harassment will stop me from being the voice of the voiceless and the mouthpiece of the common man”.

He said the 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.

Senator Melaye called on Kogi Elders, Traditional Leaders and Opinion Leaders to call for order and restraint. ‘It may be Dino Melaye today, we don’t know who is next’.

“The agitation for good governance, payment of worker’s salaries and welfare of pensioners should not be punished with assassination.”
In a swift reaction the Director general media and strategy Kingsley Fanwo said they don’t want to join issues with Senator Dino Melaye.

“He is an adult and can explain the path he has chosen to tread. If he accused the Governor of complacency in the so called assassination attempt, those who have been following the trend from the day his group promised to make Kogi ungovernable will not be surprised.

“The case is under investigation by the Police and making serious statements about it may be seen to be subjudice. We have been witnessing imaginary attacks in the state and when the Governor travelled to Kogi East, his antagonists also alleged he was attacked even when the opposite was the case.”

He said the government, believe the Nigeria Police is capable of getting to the root of the allegations to do justice to it once and for all.

He said people need to ask Senator Dino Melaye if he reported the incident to the Governor who is the Chief Security Officer of the state.

“If you didn’t tell him anything, he too will have nothing to say. The reports of the security agencies will surely untie the riddles surrounding the allegations.

Security should never be politicised in our state. We will not be distracted. We know the plans but if they know Governor
Yahaya Bello, they would know he is too focused to be distracted, too courageous to be intimidated.

“We are waiting for the reports of the investigation after which we shall be properly guided to make informed comments. Nigerians know what is happening.”