There is no doubt that the political war between Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi Central Senatorial district, has been rekindled as would a Season 2 of a typical movie in a home video.
The two politicians were believed to be good friends before luck smiled on Bello to become the confluence state’s governor; and shortly after the governor’s inauguration, they turned foes.
Since then, both have been flexing political muscles to show who is most influential in the state and beyond.
In what was interpreted as a move being orchestrated by Governor Bello, efforts were, at a time, made, purportedly by the people of Kogi Central, to recall Melaye. The situation was worsened for Melaye at the weekend, when the Court of Appeal ruled that his recall process should proceed.
Mr. President, few minutes ago, the Nigerian Customs intercepted sewn military camouflages with bola hats, many bullet proof vests, night vision goggles, tactical boots, tactical knapsacks, training canvas, boxing gloves, etc. These items were intercepted by the Nigerian customs because they did not come with end user certificates
Though Melaye’s fate still remains hanging with the Independent National Electoral Commission, the senator, according to sources, has been looking for means of paying the governor back in his own coin.
In what now seems to be the ‘reprisal’ time, the Senate has instituted a probe into an allegation raised by Melaye that Bello had a cache of arms, which he illegally imported for political reasons.
Melaye, in raising the alarm, alleged the importation of various firearms and security gadgets by Governor Bello. He said the items were imported without the knowledge and approval of the National Security Adviser.
The development later led to the Senate’s investigation of the Governor, in what has now been seen as a national embarrassment to the All Progressives Congress-led administration.
The Senate also expanded the terms of reference given to its ad hoc committee investigating the interception of arms and ammunition allegedly headed for Kogi State to also probe the alleged importation of military gears by the embattled governor.
Melaye particularly accused an aide to Governor Bello of being the conduit for the arms purchase on behalf of the Kogi State Government and as willed by the governor.
Melaye, while raising a Point of Order, also disclosed that the said items had been impounded by the Nigeria Customs Service at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
According to the senator, who has been at daggers-drawn with the governor, the items include: sewn military camouflages with bola hats, many bullet proof vests, night vision goggles, tactical boots, tactical knapsacks, training canvas, and boxing gloves.
While addressing bewildered Senate President and his colleagues in the Red Chamber, Melaye said, “Mr. President, due to my private investigation, I got a very serious revelation yesterday and I am so happy that a committee constituted by the Senate under the leadership of the high-ranking Senator James Manager is in place.
“Mr. President, few minutes ago, the Nigerian Customs intercepted sewn military camouflages with bola hats, many bullet proof vests, night vision goggles, tactical boots, tactical knapsacks, training canvas, boxing gloves. etc.
“These items were intercepted by the Nigerian Customs because they did not come with end user certificates. When you are bringing military equipment into the country, they must come with end user certificate – certified by the National Security Adviser (NSA).”
Meanwhile, Governor Bello has dissolved his cabinet in what was seen as principally motivated by the arms purchase saga.
During the State Executive Committee meeting, Bello was said to have sacked all his commissioners and also relieved all the 21 local government administrators of their duties.
Sources familiar with the situation said the Governor ordered all the affected workers to hand over keys to their official cars to the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Folasade Arike Ayoade.
But following the hoopla created by the mass sack, as critics linked it with the arms scandal, the governor was said to have done a quiet recall of some of his sacked commissioners.
Sources close to the Lord Lugard House in Lokoja said the governor’s action was not unconnected to the controversial arms importation mess, which Melaye is currently using against Bello at the Senate.
The Nigeria Customs Service had earlier, truly, declared that it intercepted sewn military camouflages with bola hats, many bullet proof vests, night vision googles, tactical boots, tactical knapsacks, training canvas, boxing gloves etc. It also said it found that the items belonged to the Kogi State Government. The Customs further said that it had issued a 30-day ultimatum to the importer of the arms, “to produce the End-User Certificate from the Office of the National Security Adviser.”
Bello was said to be angry with his cabinet members who he accused of leaking the information about the arms importation.
While reacting on the development, Governor Bello’s spokesperson, Kingsley Fanwo, said, “The earlier sacked cabinet members have been asked to return to the office.”
On the case at the Senate, Fanwo said, “It is not proper for me to say anything now, but till the appropriate time.”
Meanwhile, an anonymous source in Lokoja who was close to the governor said, “The governor and his people will ensure Malaye pays for all his tricks against the governor of his state.”
