Melaye would not have been attacked if he listened to us - Kogi traditional rulers react over Kabba day incident

macfranc007 November 10, 2017 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Eromosele Ebhomele

- Traditional rulers from Kabba have opened up on the alleged attack on Senator Dino Melaye during an event that had Governor Bello as guest

- The traditional rulers met with the governors and told him they earlier warned Melaye not to attend the event

- They claimed Melaye sneaked into the premises of the event in defiance of their advice

Senator Dino Melaye’s refusal to hearken to advice from traditional rulers to stay away from the Kabba Day celebration has been blamed for the alleged attack against him.

Some traditional rulers and community leaders accused Melaye of defying their advice to him not to attend the event, but he refused.

Vanguard reports that the traditional rulers revealed this when they visited Governor Yahaya Bello in Lokoja, Thursday, November 9.

The president general of the Kabba Development Union, Engr Emmanuel Ajibero, who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers, commended the governor for his maturity and wisdom saying his action on that day shows him as a peace-loving leader.

Ajibero also thanked the governor for donating N20 million for the completion of the Kabba Civic Centre.

Another community leader whose name was given as Chief Olowodola said he had thought Senator Melaye would use the opportunity of the event to iron out his differences with the governor.

Speaking further, the Obadofin of Oweland, Michael Yusuf, said: “We sent some Royal Fathers and Chiefs to him to stay away when we heard he was coming to disrupt the event.

“He promised us he won’t come only to sneak into Kabba and caused the havoc that happened that day.

“We have learnt our lessons and we now know better. The event also afforded us the opportunity to know how peace-loving the governor is.”

On her part, Edward Onoja, the chief of staff to the governor urged Bello to continue to see the Okun people as responsible despite what happened at the Kabba Day.

“Okun land is made up of responsible and great people. The sin of one should not be visited on all.

“Since the creation of Kogi State, Kogi has never been this favored in terms of appointment into strategic and high placed positions.

“Okun must prove to the Governor and the current administration that they appreciate their new found relevance in the the politics and governance of Kogi state.

“The Kabba Day incident has helped the governor to shine. People were expecting to see an arrogant G=governor as misconceived by the media only to find out the real Yahaya Bello who is prepared to sacrifice anything to safeguard the lives of his people.

“There is no administration in this state in which the Okun people have the positions of a speaker, secretary to the state government and state security adviser all at the same time.

“It has been made possible by this administration. We know where we are coming from, where we are and where we are going.”

In his response, Governor Bello said: “I do not bear grudge against anyone. What happened belongs to the past. I cannot waste the lives of my people on the platter of ego. We thank God for making the day a success.

“Let me also thank my supporters for showing the character of their leader by refusing to take laws into their hands. The security agencies also did great by providing adequate security to forestall breakdown of law and order.

“Kogi state is one big family and my administration shall continue to promote peace and unity across the state.

“Politicians should stop testing God by thinking of 2019. I was made governor by God and only him knows where I will be in 2019.

“I will continue to give my best to this great state of great people. My ego is not worth any life. We shall continue to put Kogi on the right path.”

Melaye has however denied sneaking into the venue or that he was advised not to attend the event.

In his reaction reported by Premium Times, Melaye said: “Nobody asked me not to come and nobody could have stopped me from coming.

“The governor was embarrassed but his political appointees have always lied to him that I’m not on ground and everybody is for him.”

“The triumphant entry and total acceptability that I got when I entered Kabba obviously got the governor and his appointees taking cover and couldn’t approach the venue where I had a fill day. The entire crowd cheered me all through till the point I drove out of the stadium.

“About five hired Ebira thugs were throwing stones at my convoy, the people caught them and gave them community beating before handling them to the police.

“The governor should explain why he ran away after getting to Kabba all the way from Lokoja. No one can stop the people’s revolt.

“I have pictorial evidence and video. Please ask them for evidence of their lies. The governor is simply the most unpopular governor in Nigeria for stealing the salaries and pension of workers.

“The battle to make him responsible and pay workers is a battle of no retreat no surrender. If I die I die. But I will never keep quiet in the face of deliberate wickedness.”

NAIJ.com earlier reported that Senator Dino Melaye recently burst into a song and prayers against evil doers and 'enemies of peace'.

Melaye is in a cold war with his state governor, Yahya Bello.

#BBNaija's TBoss speaks about her relationship with Senator Dino Melaye - on NAIJ.com TV