Ex-Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has called on President Tinubu to intervene in his long-standing conflict with the EFCC, accusing the anti-graft agency of political bias. The former governor’s media office labeled the EFCC’s recent actions as “embarrassing” and motivated by personal interests.
Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has once again reached out to President Bola Tinubu, pleading for his intervention in the ongoing clash between himself and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The former governor’s media office, in a recent statement signed by Ohiare Michael, described the actions of the EFCC as biased, claiming they are fueled by personal and political interests rather than a genuine anti-corruption effort.
This latest appeal comes after a prolonged back-and-forth between Yahaya Bello and the EFCC, which escalated when the agency declared him wanted. Despite showing up voluntarily at the EFCC headquarters on September 19, 2024, in the company of Governor Ahmed Ododo and other high-profile individuals, Bello was reportedly allowed to leave without being questioned, raising further suspicion about the true motives of the commission.
In the statement, Bello’s media team argued that the EFCC’s behavior was more of an embarrassment to itself than to the former governor, calling into question the agency’s credibility in the fight against corruption. The team asked, “If the EFCC was truly interested in prosecution, would the agency not have taken him in on that day?”
The altercation between Bello and the EFCC has been ongoing for months, with the former governor consistently claiming that the agency’s actions are politically driven. His media office has repeatedly questioned the impartiality of the commission, accusing it of targeting individuals based on personal vendettas rather than corruption-related offenses.
As the situation unfolds, Yahaya Bello is urging President Tinubu to intervene to restore fairness and transparency to the anti-graft war. According to the statement, the former governor believes only the president’s intervention can ensure the EFCC’s operations remain focused on fighting corruption rather than pursuing politically motivated arrests.
Bello’s public appeal is expected to intensify the scrutiny surrounding the EFCC’s handling of high-profile corruption cases, especially as he continues to position himself as a victim of political persecution. With President Tinubu yet to make a public statement on the matter, all eyes are on the government to see if it will intervene in this growing controversy.
