A large group of women in Kogi State took to the streets over the weekend to protest what they described as the “persecution” of former Governor Yahaya Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The women, led by various community leaders and political supporters, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene, alleging that the EFCC’s actions were politically motivated.
Gathering in Lokoja, the state capital, the protesters labeled the EFCC’s actions a “witch-hunt” and urged the agency to allow the courts to handle any cases involving the former governor.
They expressed concern over the EFCC’s treatment of Bello, arguing that it was aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
One protester, Hajiya Halima Abass, stated, “We stand with our leader, Yahaya Bello in this trying time. We believe he has been targeted unfairly and we demand justice. We won’t watch him lose his life.”
Another protester, Mrs. Boluwaji, added, “The EFCC should focus on genuine cases of corruption, not political vendetta.”
The women leaders, speaking in their local dialects—Igala, Ebira, Yoruba, and others—urged the EFCC to be professional in their handling of the case.
The protesters chanted, declaring that the people of Kogi are “fearless” and would not continue to tolerate what they described as a “show of shame.”
They particularly criticized the EFCC for allegedly attempting to arrest Bello at night after he had voluntarily presented himself earlier.
“We Kogi people of Ebira descent cherish what our son, Yahaya Bello, did for us as governor. That is why we’re out on the streets to ask EFCC to leave him alone,” said Hajiya Fatima, one of the women leaders from Ebiraland.
Another protester, Mrs. Deborah, who represented Kogi East’s Igala people, echoed similar sentiments: “We, the Igala people from Kogi East, we are here because of our leader, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. He has never done anything bad to us… We have never seen the kind of his government before. He did well for the state.”
The protesters called on President Tinubu to direct the EFCC to refrain from what they see as an unjust campaign against Bello, asserting that they would not stand by as their former governor is, in their words, unfairly targeted.
