The group G-21 Frontiers has expressed strong disapproval of the Kogi East Critical Elders for endorsing former Governor Yahaya Bello and his successor, Ahmed Usman Ododo. The Kogi State Coordinator of the group, Faruk Ismail, issued a statement in Abuja on Friday, highlighting their disappointment with the elders’ decision to support Bello despite his alleged legal transgressions.
“We are utterly dismayed and deeply disappointed by the recent endorsement of Yahaya Bello, a fugitive wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), by a group of self-proclaimed ‘Kogi East Stakeholders,'” the statement read. The group condemned the endorsement of Bello, who has been accused of money laundering and other financial crimes, and who allegedly fled to avoid legal consequences.
G-21 Frontiers emphasized the risk of undermining law enforcement and anti-corruption efforts by endorsing someone accused of serious crimes. “We urge the self-appointed endorsers, known for supporting electoral fraud in last year’s November off-season election, to reconsider their endorsement and support the victims of Bello’s alleged crimes. We must stand firm in upholding the core values of justice, accountability, and integrity,” the statement continued.
The group also criticized the endorsement of Governor Ododo, citing allegations of fraud tainting his electoral victory. They called on the endorsers to demand free, fair, and credible elections, emphasizing the need to uphold democratic principles and the will of the people.
Finally, G-21 Frontiers questioned the endorsement process, calling for a thorough examination of the roles, backgrounds, and selection criteria of the endorsers to ensure that the endorsements genuinely reflect the will of the Kogi East Constituency. “Such a review would ensure that endorsements genuinely reflect the will of the Kogi East Constituency,” the group concluded.
