Governor Bello’s Bombshell: All Kogi State Accounts Locked!

In a stunning development, Governor Yahaya Bello has mandated the immediate freeze of all state and local government accounts within Kogi. The directive, conveyed by Commissioner for Finance, Asiwaju Asiru Idris, imposes a strict embargo on any form of payments or financial disbursements from these accounts. Notably, this sweeping decision also renders null and void all “Standing Orders and Investment Instructions” pertaining to these funds.

This unexpected move, set in motion on Thursday, November 23, 2023, casts a blanket freeze across Kogi’s State and Local Government Accounts. The motives behind such an extensive financial shutdown remain unclear, but speculation suggests it might be linked to the impending conclusion of Governor Bello’s administration. His term is set to conclude on January 27, 2024, ushering in the governance of Governor-elect Ahmed Usman Ododo, marking a significant transition in the north-central state’s leadership.

The abrupt nature of this directive has stirred curiosity and concern among citizens and policymakers alike, as it halts all financial transactions and allocations from the state and local government coffers. The timing and the far-reaching implications of this financial halt have sparked discussions and raised questions about the motives behind Governor Bello’s extraordinary decision in the twilight of his tenure. This directive has swiftly stirred anticipation and speculation about its potential repercussions, leaving the populace and stakeholders in a state of uncertainty and apprehension.