Kogi govt carpet Ex-PGF DG over comment against Yahaya Bello »

The Kogi State Government has sent a strong warning to embattled and former Director General of the Progressive Governor’s Forum (PGF), Salihu Moh. Lukeman to desist from engaging in a campaign of calumny against the governor of the state.

In a Press Statement signed on Tuesday by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Communication Strategy, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, he stated that Lukeman’s disparaging statement against the Person of Gov. Yahaya Bello and the state has been brought to the full attention of the state government and would consider legal redress against his actions if it persists.

The Commissioner noted that It was unfortunate that Lukman could allow the frustration of his unceremonious and embarrassing exit as the Director-General of PGF take possession of his reasoning to the extent of accusing His Excellency, Mai Mala Buni’s APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of extorting aspirants ahead of the March 26 National Convention.

He added “It’s more saddening that Lukman decided to expose his main fear when he unwittingly revealed that the candidate to beat in the 2023 APC primary was my principal, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. To the amateur politician, the unfounded allegations against the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello should sway the minds of Nigerians or party leaders”.

Mr. Fanwo asserted that asking the party to prevent Yahaya Bello, a leading presidential hopeful, from getting the party’s ticket, already stamps the fact that all eyes were on him to take the party to victory in the 2023 General elections, which everyone knows would be keenly contested.

Debunking the allegations of 25% percentage salary payment to Kogi Civil servants peddled by Lukeman, Fanwo asserted that Nigerians were adequately informed of the meagre allocation shared during the last FAAC meeting and Internally generated revenue wasn’t at the standard the administration had set as a result of economic downturn, owing to the energy crisis that hit the nation in February.

He clarified “But as an administration that is committed to the welfare of the civil servants, the Kogi State Government sat with labour leaders and agreed to pay 75%.”

Mr Fanwo said that only civil servants on grade level 7 and above received 75%. Civil servants on Grade Level 1 to 6 received 100% salary with the 30,000 naira minimum wage. The Governor and all political office holders also received 75% in solidarity with our workforce, which he said was a stand on responsible and responsive leadership.

The Commissioner reiterated that the payment has since been paid with the full implementation of the minimum wage adding that such was against the lies peddled by Lukman that Kogi workers received 25 percentage of their old salaries.

Governor Yahaya Bello remained a key figure holding the party together and he has the support and endorsement of overwhelming majority of party faithful to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari. Lukman should wake up to the fact that his campaign of calumny will not wane the love APC and Nigerians have for Governor Bello, the commissioner stressed

He however expressed the commitment of the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello towards the welfare of the workforce and no amount of lies sponsored by Lukman would prevent Governor Bello from answering the popular call by the Nigerian masses to serve the nation in the presidential capacity.