My Removal Is Demonstration of Rascality – Achuba

• He alleged that Governor Bello has nothing to show for the funds he collected.
• He says Kogi can conveniently pay salaries and pension without external help.

Simon Achuba, the immediate past Deputy Governor of Kogi State has described the emergence of Edward Onoja as his replacement as political rascality.

Speaking with Punch, Achuba said people like Governor Yahaya Bello should not be in Government.

“It is a demonstration of rascality by people who are not supposed to be in government but who are by accident in government.”

READ: Achuba: Yahaya Bello Treated Me Like A Common Criminal, I Trek from One Place to Another

Speaking on the origin of the crisis between him and the governor, he alleged that everyone is aware Yahaya Bello has not utilised the money of the state for the well-being of the people of Kogi.

“I have continued to insist that such is not good and must not continue but he is not happy with that.”

On some allegation that he was not loyal to the governor, Achuba said even without bailout funds, and refunds from the federal government, the state Can conveniently pay salaries and pension.

“I spoke well about the money that has been given to Kogi State under his leadership. I have also stated that without bailout, refunds on roads constructed, and other benefits that came to the state, it was convenient for Kogi State Government to pay salaries and pension and still have money for overhead and capital projects. He was not happy with that.

“And so, he goes around, trying to tell the world what is not true or what is not happening in the state. Sometimes, he would take audio that seemed like my own and present it to the Presidency and all other places to make it look like I was speaking against President Muhammadu Buhari. But that was never true.”

Achuba who enumerated the financial inflows of the state said at least N294bn as at February 2019 had accrued to Kogi State. He added that the wage bill without screening would be about N5.8bn.

“Then you would still have about N288.2bn left which is enough to take care of overheads and capital projects. When screening was done halfway, it was said that it was about N4.8bn and when you remove that from N294bn, you will have about N289.2bn left. So why can’t something reasonable be done by the governor?

“I am part of the administration and I do not want to be tagged as someone who is a failure. My position is that something for the well-being of the people of Kogi State should be put in place. As I speak with you, apart from the Revenue House and the sham called rice mill at Omi Dam in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area of the state, there are no other major projects.

“Even projects that had reached 95 percent completion left by previous administrations, are still at the same stage.”

While noting that the N294bn is not including the bailout and Paris Club refunds, he said when all that are put together, one will be amazed at what is available to the state and the government is still not performing.

READ: Achuba: Yahaya Bello Clinging on Straws – PDP

“Other states that are not making as much money pay salaries and pensions of their workers and pensioners respectively, and are still doing projects. So why is our own different?.’ he asked.

“Speaking on his loyalty to the governor, Achuba said his loyalty to the governor cannot be compared to my loyalty to the nation.

“My loyalty to the nation and the well-being of the people of Kogi State is paramount to me than my loyalty to an individual. And so I cannot be a deputy governor and say that I am loyal to an individual and witness maladministration, which is not supposed to be the case. And despite that continue to be loyal to that governor. It is not done.’

He added that his relationship with the governor broke down at the point where he was not working for the interest and progress of Kogi State and where projects that supposed to be done were not done. Achuba said he cannot identify himself with a non-performer.