Yahaya Bello, Gov Ododo And EFCC Conundrum

Published

2 years ago

October 9, 2024

thecloudngr

By Enejo Shaibu

‘’Miraculous’’ was how many political observers termed Yahaya Bello’s ascent to the number one position in Kogi State from nowhere. It is the unique nobody to somebody tale which we see in Nollywood movies. But unlike in the movies where somebody who was nobody becomes a hero to all and lives happily ever after, Bello’s tale, after eight years in power, is anything but that. The man is not living a happy ever-after so far, with him being called to clear his name of numerous alleged corrupt acts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

I had held a hope that, given Bello’s ‘divine’ path to power in Kogi State where the Igbiras had played second fiddle to the Igalas since the creation of the state in 1991, there would be a positive development given the Igalas seeming ineptitude.

After the first emperor-like period of the late Prince Abubakar Audu, the people of the state (especially the Igalas) must have missed him so bad that after booting him out because of his imperiousness, voted for him to come back after 12 years of lacklustre performance by from Ibrahim idris and his in- law Idris wada consecutive governments. Apparently, Audu’s achievements in four years still stands heads and shoulders above 12 years of both Idrises. But the plan of the Igalas did not work and Yahaya Bello, an Igbira man, stepped in.

I had held a hope that maybe Bello would deliver the dividends of democracy to all in Kogi state irrespective of tribe, religion or whatsoever, given the manner in which he came to power. The only ‘’dividend of democracy,’’ and only achievement in my opinion after eight years of his rule, is to show the world that the Igala superiority when it comes to winning elections in Kogi state has become a myth. He demystified the Igala superiority complex and made it clear that the governorship of Kogi State is not the birth right of the Igala kingdom.

Other than the aforementioned, there is really nothing to point to in regards to achievement. The perks of office got to his head. Was it the age factor?

We all know a governor in Nigeria is powerful. The power exercised where there is no real check and balance corrupts absolutely. No doubt. We are all witnesses to the excesses of power displayed by different governors both military and civilian over the years. Apart from the military era when the likes of Yakubu Gowon and Murtala Muhammed wielded power when they were under 40, Bello became the youngest governor at 40 in modern times in Nigeria. He suddenly had raw power thrust upon him. As power tends to corrupt, Bello could not resist this tendency and like his fellow governors before him, became corrupt both in mind and action.

From his so called civil service verification exercise (which if had been done justly would have weeded out genuine ghost workers) to owing months of salaries (at a point paying percentages) when N19 billions was just sitting in sterling bank (kogi government denied it was theirs) to a general backwardness in the state where state thugs reigned supreme, to white lion slogans and at a point becoming Yusuf Buhari’s chaperone in Abuja and not even pretending he had a state to govern, Bello became so power drunk that his word was akin to the law in Kogi State.

But power is transient. It is either power leaves a man while the man is alive or he leaves power when he dies. There must be a parting of ways. In Nigeria, governorship power is but eight years maximum. There are other powers though. Senatorial power and presidential power for instances. Like Lord Acton said: ‘’Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.’’ Such power is addictive and having tasted it in one form, one will want to keep on tasting it. Bello knowing governorship power was coming to an end sought either of the aforementioned power. He tried and failed.

Tinubu got one and Natasha-Akpoti has denied him his preferred senatorial slot as there was a widespread belief that the plan was for his lackey who had won the initial election, before it was deemed a fraud, to resign at an appointed time and a by-election would have ushered Bello into the senate.

However, in directly, he has not let go of governorship power. He has, again, demystified the Igala superiority myth, by getting his kinsman, the current governor into power. The current governor is more or less being perceived as figurehead or a proxy as Bello is still in power figuratively.

His current saga with the EFCC where it seems like Governor Usman Ododo is joined at the hip with Bello shows that the former governor is still exercising power through Ododo. How else does one explain how Ododo hurriedly came to Bello’s rescue when he was about to be arrested by the EFCC in Abuja? Only someone with real power can prompt a sitting governor who was miles away to show up in that manner.

This brings us to the ride together, die together soundtrack of Bad Boys for life movie. This fits the unhealthy loyalty between Ododo and Bello. It is an interesting pair to watch. In Nigeria, out of ten of such pairings of loyalty, eight or nine are doomed. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Abdullahi Ganduje. Godwin Obaseki and Adams Oshiomhole. Obaseki and Philip Shaibu. Nyesom Wike and Fubara. Wike and Amaechi. Senator Olusola Saraki and Lawal. Adedibu and Ladoja. Bello and Smart Adeyemi. Bello and Dino Melaye, to mention but a few.

Yes without Bello, there won’t be Ododo as governor. As a result, he is forced to show solidarity to the man who made him. And I think he knows that when it comes to the ‘’dying together’’ part, he is expected to willingly accept the fate. Hmm! I pity him.

As he is riding with Bello, I hope (I hope too much) he knows that power could be out of his hand in the next three years and then he too will most likely face EFCC summons. And if power leaves him, most likely it could go back to the demystified Igalas or even a Dino who will definitely want their pound of flesh from Bello and Ododo by extension. It is not looking rosy at every turn for Ododo, given that his mandate as governor is supposedly for the people of Kogi State but as power corrupts, the mandate is now for Ododo to be used in helping Bello elude EFCC clutches.

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Manchester City Found Guilty of 114 Financial Charges as Sanctions Remain Undecided

Published

13 hours ago

September 25, 2026

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Manchester City Found Guilty of 114 Financial Charges as Sanctions Remain Undecided—-An independent commission has reportedly ruled against Manchester City on all but one of the Premier League’s financial charges, but sanctions are yet to be decided as the club prepares to appeal.

Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty on 114 of the 115 financial charges brought against them by the Premier League, according to reports from The Athletic and The Times, in a major development that could have significant consequences for English football.

The verdict comes more than three years after the Premier League formally charged Manchester City following a lengthy investigation into the club’s finances.

An independent commission is understood to have reached its decisions on the allegations, which cover several seasons dating back to the 2009-10 campaign. City have consistently denied wrongdoing throughout the case.

However, no sanction has yet been decided.

Reports indicate that Manchester City are expected to appeal the findings, meaning the long-running case is now moving into another stage. Sky Sports reports that the process is moving towards an appeal, while the Premier League has declined to comment because the proceedings remain private and confidential.

What Were Manchester City Accused Of?

The Premier League’s original case against City included allegations that the club failed to provide accurate financial information over a nine-year period.

The charges included alleged failures to accurately report revenue, operating costs and sponsorship income, as well as allegations concerning payments made to players and managers.

The Premier League also accused City of breaches relating to UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations and its own Profitability and Sustainability Rules.

A separate set of allegations concerned the club’s alleged failure to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation.

The case was formally referred to an independent commission in February 2023 after a Premier League investigation that lasted several years.

City Maintain Their Position

Manchester City have repeatedly rejected the allegations and continue to maintain their position that the process has not yet been completed.

Following reports of the verdict, a City spokesperson said the Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements still to be completed and subject to strict confidentiality. The club also reiterated its previous position from February 2023.

The Premier League has also refused to publicly confirm the reported findings.

A league spokesperson told Reuters: “It’s a confidential process, we’re not commenting at all.”

Sanctions Yet to Be Decided

Despite the reported guilty findings, Manchester City have not been punished at this stage.

The exact sanctions, if any, will depend on the next stage of the proceedings. Possible punishments discussed during the case have included financial penalties and sporting sanctions, but no specific punishment has been confirmed.

That means there is currently no confirmed points deduction, relegation, expulsion or stripping of previous titles.

Any such outcome would have to come through the formal disciplinary process and could also be affected by City’s expected appeal.

Appeal Could Extend the Case

The reported verdict is therefore not necessarily the final word on the matter.

Manchester City are expected to challenge the findings, with Sky Sports reporting that the inquiry is moving towards the appeal stage.

The original hearing lasted 12 weeks, concluding in December 2024, after which the independent commission spent considerable time considering the extensive evidence.

The case has become one of the most significant financial disputes in Premier League history, with the outcome potentially affecting the club’s sporting and financial standing.

For now, the key development is the reported 114 guilty findings from 115 charges.

But with sanctions still undecided, the verdict not publicly released by the Premier League and an appeal expected, Manchester City’s lengthy financial case is far from over.

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Unlocking Website Potential: How Emdash Theme Can Transform Your Online Presence

Published

15 hours ago

September 25, 2026

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Emdash theme stands out for its clean design, user-friendly interface, and extensive customization options. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or a novice user, Emdash makes it easy to create a professional-looking website that reflects your brand identity. Its responsive design ensures that your website looks great on any device, from desktops and laptops to tablets and smartphones. In a world where mobile browsing is increasingly prevalent, this is a non-negotiable feature.

One of the most significant advantages of Emdash is its flexibility. It offers a wide range of pre-built templates and layouts, which can be easily adapted to suit your specific needs. Whether you’re building a blog, an e-commerce store, or a portfolio website, Emdash provides the tools you need to get the job done. The theme is also highly customizable, allowing you to change colors, fonts, and other design elements to match your brand aesthetic.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Emdash is also designed with performance in mind. It’s optimized for speed and SEO, ensuring that your website loads quickly and ranks well in search engine results. This is crucial for attracting organic traffic and improving your online visibility. A slow-loading website can frustrate visitors and lead to high bounce rates, which can negatively impact your search engine rankings.

Furthermore, Emdash boasts excellent documentation and customer support. If you ever run into any issues or have questions about the theme, you can rely on their comprehensive documentation or reach out to their support team for assistance. This is a valuable asset, especially for those who are new to WordPress or website development.

In my experience, Emdash has been a game-changer for many of my clients. It has allowed them to create stunning websites that effectively showcase their products and services. It’s a theme that strikes the perfect balance between design, functionality, and ease of use. If you’re looking for a WordPress theme that can help you transform your online presence, I highly recommend giving Emdash a try. You can find more information about the this theme at https://emdashtheme.org.

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In today’s digital landscape, a strong online presence is no longer optional – it’s essential for success. Your website serves as the virtual storefront of your business, and first impressions matter. A poorly designed or outdated website can deter potential customers and damage your credibility. This is where selecting the right WordPress theme becomes crucial, and I’ve found Emdash to be a particularly powerful and versatile option. Emdash theme stands out for its clean design, user-friendly interface, and extensive customization options. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or a novice user, Emdash makes it easy to create a professional-looking website that reflects your brand identity. Its responsive design ensures that your website looks great on any device, from desktops and laptops to tablets and smartphones. In a world where mobile browsing is increasingly prevalent, this is a non-negotiable feature. One of the most significant advantages of Emdash is its flexibility. It offers a wide range of pre-built templates and layouts, which can be easily adapted to suit your specific needs. Whether you’re building a blog, an e-commerce store, or a portfolio website, Emdash provides the tools you need to get the job done. The theme is also highly customizable, allowing you to change colors, fonts, and other design elements to match your brand aesthetic. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Emdash is also designed with performance in mind.

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