Alleged diversion of Kogi funds: Group blasts Austin Okai for spreading fake news, misleading Nigerians

A Socio-political group under the auspices of GYB Voice Network 2023, Kogi East, has condemned the actions of Austin Okai for his unnecessary criticism, which is not intended to correct but to mislead and cause chaos in Kogi State.

Addressing a world press conference in Lokoja on Friday, the Coordinator of GYB Voice Network 2023, Kogi East Comrade Ali Atabor noted that Okai spurious allegations against Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of diversion of funds and concentration of the recent World Bank-supported road project are not only false but also a deliberate attempt to distract the attention Governor Ododo from the good work his administration is doing, for which he is being applauded by many stakeholders, regardless of their political or religious inclinations.

Our Kogi State Correspondent, reports that he viewed the stand of Austin Okai as highly destructive and capable of brewing seeds of discord among the Igala race and other ethnic groups in the state.

According to him, "Ordinarily, having known the character of Austin Okai as a perpetual blackmailer and attention seeker, we as a group would have ordinarily ignored him. However, we felt it was necessary to set the record straight so that unsuspecting members of the public would not treat the outright malicious falsehoods being dished out by this character as true.

"Let it be known that Austin Okai has not been successful in his political journey. As a matter of fact, when he contested his last election he could not deliver his Ward, in other word he failed in his immediate community. 

"This abysmal performance shows his lack of acceptability and political relevance in his area. His transactional style of politics will continue to hurt his ambition. He is not in any way qualified to speak on behalf of the good people of Kogi East , therefore his recent wide and unsubstantiated accusation against the Chief Servant is entirely his own personal opinion, and not that of the people of Kogi East".

The GYB Voice Network Coordinator recalled that, in 2024, Governor Ododo approved the reconstruction and construction of some major township roads across the state; adding that many local government areas from Kogi East were captured, including Dekina Local Government. 

While scoring the administration of Governor Ododo high, Comrade Atabor said" So far, this administration in Kogi State under Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is pursuing unity, not division; he is after peace, not acrimony; and he is promoting love, not hate. 

"The Ododo administration can be seen as one that prioritizes the overall interest of Kogites. If Austin Okai claims to love the people of Kogi East, as he is pontificating, is he not aware of the huge natural resources being carted away from Kogi East?

" On a daily basis, coal is being taken away without corresponding benefits to the immediate community and the state. What has been his role in this direction? We have seen genuine commitment towards bringing the people of the state together by the present administration. 

 "We are indeed grateful to the Chief Servant for embarking on all many projects in our Senatorial District. Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in the same vain has given attention to the welfare of workers, both at the state and local government levels. Since his assumption of office, he has ensured prompt payment of salaries. 

"Governor Ododo is among the few governors in the country to have commenced the implementation of the new national minimum wage. His administration has also been prompt in the payment of monthly pension to retirees in the state, with a significant increase in the take-home pay of the pensioners arising from the implementation of the new minimum wage in Kogi State.

"His Excellency has also focused on improving the educational sector, agriculture, health, and security. All the achievements in these sectors are tangible and can be seen. We are appealing to our sons and daughters from Kogi East to continue in their support for the administration of Governor Ahmed Ododo.

"We should, at all times, rise and shun all those with the intent to cause dis-affection and acrimony between the good people of Kogi East and our brothers from other senatorial districts of the state. We must work towards building strong partnerships that will attract more development projects to our senatorial district".

The group, however, pledged their unflinching support, solidarity, and commitment to the present administration in Kogi State under Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.

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