WADA TO FG: Stop playing politics with Kogi bailout fund

Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government not to play politics with the issue of bail-out that is yet to be released to the state, months after fulfilling the necessary documentation.

The state government’s position is coming as a reaction to statements credited to the APC governorship candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, and his running mate, Abiodun Falake, that they had prevailed on President Muhammadu Buhari to order the stoppage of the release of the bailout funds to Kogi State until the November 21 governorship election in the state.
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The governor, who spoke through his Chief Communications Manager, Mr Phrank Shaibu, however, said the state government will not compromise its rights in the country even in the face of persecution by the APC governorship candidate.
Wada said: “We (government) called on President Buhari, as leader for all, not to be swayed by the antics of this desperate politician who is nothing but the author and finisher of the woes of civil servants in Kogi State.”

“What kind of desperation will make a man to callously and viciously wage war against the release of resources meant for the people of his state?

“The Kogi State government is of the firm view that the bail out fund is only a loan and not a presidential benevolence.

“This matter is not a personality contest between Governor Idris Wada and the APC led government. It is strictly about constitutionalism and the rule of law. While the state government will always accord the highest respect to the exalted office of the President, it will not compromise a principled stand on the rights of its citizens in the Nigerian federation, especially when it is being machinated by some desperate politicians from Kogi state for selfish reasons.”

Wada who called on President Buhari to as a matter of urgency order the release of the said funds so that the state could meet its obligations to its workers, stressed that the eyes of the world are on Nigeria as far as the case is concerned.

“For one, the President has consistently stressed the role of morality in governance and there can be nothing more immoral than the willful deprivation of the right of our civil servants whose allowances and emoluments have remained unpaid owing to the economic downturn.”