Kogi Youth Alliance (KYA) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to act fast to curb “the increasingly loud indications of worsening impunity and looming anarchy” in the state, in the build-up to the November 16 governorship polls.

According to the youth group, the rumoured outcome of Governor Yahaya Bello’s meeting with 67 traditional leaders from Yoruba-speaking areas of the state at Lugard House last Sunday is a pointer to anarchy.

In a statement signed by Ade Onemola, Idowu Ipinmisho and Arome Idachaba, representing the three senatorial zones of the state, Kogi citizens were urged to remain calm and maintain the peace in the face of intense provocations by some politicians.

“From what we are hearing, the governor is asserting confidence about influencing the judiciary to foreclose any possibility of victory for Senator Dino Melaye.

“The situation in Kogi, the boast about being able to wantonly influence the outcome of judicial decisions and other evolving threats point to the possibility of disorder and violence, if these foretold threats manifest and provoke populist uproar,” the youths warned.

But Governor Bello, through his Director General Media and Publicity, Kingsley Fanwo, described the allegations as baseless, adding that “it is a faint voice of a sinking gong.” He stated in Lokoja on Wednesday, “The lower tribunal has nullified the election and the judgement was sound and based on points of law.

“Dino Melaye should face his appeal and stop crying foul. He went to appeal and has possibly lost faith in his own case. He is free to withdraw his appeal, if he wants to throw in the towel voluntarily.

“The governor respects the traditional institution and they also love him, reason they recently gathered to endorse his second term for strengthening the traditional institution in the state.”

•Text (excluding headline): The Guardian.

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