Obinna Amaobi, Abuja
Few months to the November’s gubernatorial election in Kogi State, various groups are calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other security agencies to investigate the activities of some politicians seeking to contest in the forth-coming election.
This development they, said were due to the need to eliminate the use of stolen money, diverting of states funds to contest election, or pouring the proceeds of crimes into the election process.
President General of Global Peace Movement International (UK), Dr Mike Uyi, said this in an interview with our correspondent, pointing out it was however gratifying to note that the EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies are already working hard to stop corrupt politicians from hijacking the forthcoming election process in Kogi.
Dr Uyi said the call is intended at checking the financial excesses of politicians who deceive electorate with money gotten from sources that cannot be traced or accounted for.
The Global Peace Movement International President said the electorate on the other hand should be wary of money bag politicians, whose stock in trade is not for good of the people but for selfish reasons, adding that the people of Kogi should elect somebody that can effect the change they long desire.
Urging the electorate to reject corrupt politicians in coming Kogi state governorship elections in order to curb the endemic corruption in the country, he said that the people of Kogi should not look at the money that they are being given, but what tangible projects or service the aspirants have provided to the people.
Speaking in the same vein, the Executive Director of Media Against Impunity Nigeria, Prince Meshack Idehen, said with over 50 individuals including the incumbent governor of the state, Yayaha Bello, currently jostling to become the governor, that a though screening of all the aspirants is needed so that the people of Kogi can enjoy the benefits of democracy and good governance.
Idehen explained that it was obvious based on existing circumstances that the current governor, Yahaha Bello has not lived or performed up to the desired expectations, pointing out only a matured person with a proven track record of service and integrity can take Kogi state to the next level.
According to him, from the list of individuals that has shown interest in becoming the next governor of Kogi state, only a handful, including Engineer Danlanmi Umar Mohammed of the All Progressives Congress has shown that they have what it takes to develop Kogi an unite the people of the state for holistic development.
The Media Against Impunity director said he supports the call for a through screening and investigations of all the aspirants by the EFCC, noting only that move can save Kogi from being thrown into another four years of underdevelopment and retrogression.
