CODIFIER

By ROTIMI DUROJAIYE  Very early on Wednesday, 18th June, 2025, I woke up to a message on some WhatsApp groups, saying that there would be no formal celebration of the 50th birthday anniversary of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello. He would rather prefer to mark it privately, at his Abuja residence, as the day coincided with the birthday of one of his daughters, the message said.  At first, I wondered why he wouldn't want to celebrate such a milestone, but then some comments on the groups mentioned the mood of the nation, particularly the sad Benue crisis, among others. I was in Abuja for an advanced training programme and had an engagement around Asokoro, not far from the former Governor's residence.  Whenever people talked about his residence, I always thought of Wuse Zone 4.  So when I saw the crowd and the very long queue of vehicles, I asked my bolt driver what was going on and he said they were all going to Yahaya Bello's house....

By Ibidapo Balogun   That the former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, alias White Lion, is a crafty, devious and dodgy character is an under statement. Those who know him know that he is more ignominious than that when a proper character sketch of him is drawn. His character traits are easily discernible in an encounter with him. This is unmistakable. As governor of the Confluence State of Kogi for eight years, Yahaya Bello’s carriage, conduct, actions and inactions exemplified a despicable character trait. He ruled over the hapless people of Kogi State with a iron hand. He trampled upon them and their rights. He oppressed them and dipped his hands in the till as he wished. He silenced the opposition and the people only to turn round to present himself as the oppressed, the innocent one. When he was done with them, he imposed his cousin, his lackey, on the state as governor the same crooked and oppressive manner he had emerged their governor- the ta-ta...