It’s turned out the former Kogi governor allegedly paid the American International School Abuja about $800 thousand to cover the fees of his five children till they would finish in the school. He allegedly used state funds and the school must now refund the money to the EFCC.
It’s a shame at various levels.
One, what education did this fellow Bello have that still saw him becoming a governor at a relatively young age? Did he have any privileged education? Did he attend any of the International Schools that impacted on his political ascendancy? I am almost certain he attended a local school in Kogi!
Two, if it’s true the money was paid from the coffers of a very poor state, how was this allowed with no one raising a voice? What laws have been broken? How do the state citizens now shouting themselves hoarse about him feel? How does Femi Fani Kayode who swore that Yahaya was the best suited presidential candidate feel?
Three, the American International School should not now start acting pious. In America where their root is, would a state governor or politician do a similar thing and the school authority would remain quiet? Does this not say a lot about their warped moral standard as well? Do they still have the moral right to point crooked fingers at Nigerians as being “fantastically corrupt” as a loose-mouthed former British Prime Minister said after being inebriated at a cocktail? Is there no case here for vicarious liability in this matter?
Four, this gross abuse shows the weak underbelly of our so called Democracy where governors act with scant control and supervision as lords of their miserable manors. Just how many of odious behaviours like this go on in states where no one can correct or control the “excellencies”? Indeed the President of Nigeria appears to be more accountable than our governors. Something needs to be done.
Five, let us perish this infantile idea that so called younger politicians, the branded “new breed” are better and offer stronger hope for Nigeria. Just do a careful listing of those who have recently been accused of bad behaviour amongst politicians and civil servants. They are mostly the young and youthful types. They help themselves to hundreds of millions and billions. Many of them are still young enough to be described as boys and girls. Like this Yahaya Bello. But see how they are showing the attributes of being young and youthful. To me, no matter the age, a thief is a thief.
I could go on and list points 6, 7, 8 etc., but this matter stinks and leaves a bad taste in one’s mouth.
One just hopes the following script won’t play out again: Yahaya eventually emerges from wherever he’s hiding and reports himself and is taken in and questioned and taken to court and then gets a bail and the case goes on for all eternity while he contests for the Senate and with luck and plenty of money to throw around wins the election and becomes the Senate President and immunity then kicks in. You think it’s impossible? I think not!
I feel sorry for this our Nigeria!
LA
