Double registration saga: I did not endorse Omebije as Yahaya Bello’s replacement – Ex-Gov. Idris

Erstwhile governor of Kogi state, Ibrahim Idris, has denied endorsing a former Deputy Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Emmanuel Omebije, as Governor Yahaya Bello’s replacement following calls for hisremoval by top members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. It could be recalled that the call for Bello’s resignation or impeachment was based on the accusation that he engaged inmultiple voter’s registrationwhich is in violation of the electoral laws of Nigeria. 

Ex-governor Idris made the denial through a statement he personally signed and issued in Abuja on Sunday night. According to him, those peddling the rumour that he gave Omebije his blessings to mobilise supporters against Bello are self-seeking politicians who wish to drag him into the murky political waters of the state. He added that, in his capacity as an ex-governor in Kogi, he is father of all irrespective of party differences and affiliations and as such cannot be caught fanning the embers of disunity and discord in the state.

The statement reads: “My attention has been drawn to the spurious rumour that I have endorsed a former Deputy Speaker of Kogi state House of Assembly, Emmanuel Omebije, as Governor Yahaya Bello’s replacement.“ I want to state clearly here for the avoidance of doubt that the rumour lacks any iota of truth. It is outright falsehood orchestrated by some self-seeking politicians in the state, who desperately wish to drag me into the murky political waters of the state.“I also want to state categorically that, in my capacity as an ex-governor in Kogi, I am obligated to sue for peace and to maintain unity among Kogi people instead of fanning the embers of political discord through unfounded endorsements and counter endorsements.“I urge all Kogites of goodwill to discountenance the rumour as my primary concern is to galvanize support for the present administration to deliver dividends of democracy to the people

“I further wish to appeal to all and sundry to come together and to remain resolute in the quest to take Kogi to greater heights.”