By Labaran Tijani, Lokoja.
Kogi state deputy governor, Elder Simeon Achuba has cried out over his safety and that of his family.
Speaking at his official resident in Lokoja he said his ADC, and other security details attached to his office were withdrawn on the eve of the postponed election on the order of governor Yahaya Bello.
Giving an insight, he revealed that at around 10am on Friday February, 15, his ADC and his security details received a call from Government House to report for security briefings, stressing that on getting there, they were arrested and charged for allegation of gun runnings.
On hearing that from government house, Elder Achuba said he put a call to the state commissioner of police, CP Busari Hakeem and inform him of the ugly development, and he promised to to investigate and get back to him.
“I called the police commissioner several times, after the report, he refused to pick my calls, I then text him that if anything happened to me or any other of my family, he is aware because there is no where an aide of governor or deputy would be that he(CP) will not be in the know.. I suspect, My ADC, police orderly, and all the police attached to my office are in detention in governnent houae”, he said.
The deputy governor who called upon the Inspector General of police to ensure that laws and orders are followed in kogi state stated that IG should ensure that his right to security is obeyed, and that unnecessary harrissenent of citizens of Kogi state should be stopped forthwith.
“My life is in danger, because I cannot understand why my security personnel can be withdrawn on the eve of election, as a member of All progressive Congress(APC).What kind of division is that; what kind of misunderstanding is that. For the past 22years, from local government, I have not seen this type of behaviour.This is not kogi of our dream.This is worrisome; this is disturbing, he expressed.
He said if speaking the truth is the issue, let it be; for he cannot be in a system and keep quiet when things were not done in the way it supposed to be observed.
“if you force yourself on the people, you will be dethroned. If you do the will of the people, you will not have fear of the people, to follow you. You should demonstrate love, do not use force to coarse people for your support”, he said.
While he said he has reported his predicaments to the presidency. national chairman of APC and those that suppose to have a say on this matter, he noted that most issues being peddled against him were from government house, and spread by their agents to give a had name.
Elder Achuba stated that for two years running, besides, cutting him off from enjoying social facilities, like light and water, most of his entitlements, impress, salary and others have not been paid to him.
However, CP Busari Hakeem said the deputy governor contacted him, “and I told him I was going to look into it and am working on it to know what to do. I want to contact the ADC to the Governor why the deputy governor’s details were withdrawn. I spoke to the deputy governor I think this morning that I was going to do something about”.
He added that there’s no problem, stressing that he requested for two extra policemen prior to the withdrawal of his details, but “I don’t know if those two were given to him before the withdrawal of his details”.
We post policemen to Government House but I think it’s the ADC to Governor who is the person in charge of security at the Government House. He posts them. There is no problem. We will send two policemen there pending when the issue will be resolved, CP, Hakeem assured.
