Yahaya Bello, the Governor of Kogi State, has ordered the freezing of all state bank accounts, as confirmed by Idris Asiru, the State Commissioner for Finance.
Asiru conveyed this decision through a memo addressed to top government officials in Lokoja, the state capital, on Thursday, effective from November 23.
The memo explicitly states, “The Executive Governor of Kogi State has directed that no imprest or any form of payment should be made to anyone from the government account henceforth.
All standing orders and instructions are hereby canceled forthwith.
All Kogi State and Local Government Accounts are hereby FROZEN with effect from today, Thursday 23rd November 2023. Accept the assurances of His Excellency Now and always, please.”
This move follows Governor Bello’s recent accusations against some of his cabinet members during a meeting with stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Bello expressed dissatisfaction, accusing certain individuals of betrayal and misrepresentation of his administration despite his support for them.
Addressing the stakeholders, Bello remarked, “Is it me you’re laughing with but have my matter in mind? Me? You people know Yahaya, you’re supposed to know me more than that.
I’m walking, and you’re digging pits for me to fall in; I’m walking with your load on my head, I’m fighting with both internal and external forces because of you. If someone hears from you, they’d say that’s from me.
You people are supposed to be my eyes, my ears, my spokespeople but you people are the worst.” The governor warned them to “tread carefully” in light of the situation.