Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State must tread softly and ensure adequate and wide consultations on the issue of ceding some lands in the state to the Federal Government for cattle colonies, a member of the House of Representatives has said.
Rep. Tajudeen Ayo Paul Teejay Yusuf (PDP, Kogi), who was reacting to Bello’s position last week, said lands are owned by communities and not traditional rulers, saying the PDP would not support any attempt to deny the people their ancestral property.
The lawmaker, who represents Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency, told journalists in Abuja on Sunday that it is in the interest of coming generations that the governor must not only consult with the people but also ensure that they are not short-changed in the process.
“This is beyond politics.
I plead with our governor to please make adequate consultations because traditional rulers are not bonafide owners of land in communities in most, if not all communities across Kogi State,” Yusuf who chairs the committee on capital market, said.
He said it would amount to adding salt to injury for the governor to take such a decision at a time he is sacking thousands of people from the state’s civil service.
“All over the world, teachers are respected because they play a major role in shaping the destiny of future generations but regrettably, in Kogi today, a life of penury and gross uncertainty is their reward.
“In 2016, many voters in Kogi State made the mistake of voting for ‘change’ but they now feel gravely short-changed. We sympathize with many Kogites going through various ordeals, including the recent sack of their family members.
“Without the absolutely stupendous billions of Paris Club refund, bailouts and federal statutory allocations now coming into Kogi from Abuja, the previous PDP administrations in Kogi State were paying workers’ salaries,” he stated.
He added that, “While many critics of the APC administration have attributed the current situation to leadership deficit and blamed people’s harrowing experience on past gullible acceptance of utopian-sounding propaganda and deceitful promises, we feel convinced that there is still cause ahead for hope.”
