As the controversy over the $181 million Islamic Development Bank loan between the immediate past and incumbent Administrations in Niger State rages on, a group of youths under the auspices of Concerned Nigerlites has ask Governor Abubarkar Sani Bello to live by his words of ensuring transparency and accountability in all government businesses.
The group also wants Governor Bello and his predecessor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, to end political hostilities and name calling in the overall interest of citizens.
They said such hostilities and dirty politicking portray bad examples and account of themselves before youths in Niger State.
Concerned Nigerlites in a statement signed by the Chairman and Secretary, Abdullahi Suleiman and Ndama Eli respectively, wondered why the noise about who applied and got approvals for the IDB loan, saying what should be of importance was the judicious use of the money.
Aliyu made public his fears about the money.
The Concerned Nigerlites said: “Governor Bello should have as a man of integrity he wanted us to believe he is simply asked the Ministry of Finance to release financial details of the state at least to prove his predecessor wrong.”
They want Governor Bello to always seek for elders’ counsel on some sensitive matters that could threaten peace and unity amongst citizens and to apologise to Nigerlites for ridiculing the state before the whole world because of his failure to provide answers on how monies accruable to the state, including all loans in the past four years, were utilized.
Inasmuch as it wants to remain neutral or resist being judgmental, the group said Nigerlites will not be asking for too much by demanding that both Aliyu and Bello put aside their political differences and join hands in moving Niger State to enviable heights.
The youths said: “We the Concerned Nigerlites are not happy about all these banters. Former Governor Aliyu publicly said he got the $181 million to dualise Minna-Bida but the money could not be accessed until now. We expected Governor Bello to simply confirm if it is true or not, we don’t want to rely on rumours.
“It is natural to be interested hearing such amount and because we do not want to dwell on rumours. We are not probing anybody, who applied for or who got the approval is immaterial to us, we are only interested in knowing everything about $181 million.”
They however that if it turned out that the former Governor is lying, the youths will go after him.
The statement further expressed regrets on infrastructural decay, especially intra-and inter-state roads, which gave rise to protests and discordant voices against the present administration, adding that it is only natural for one to demand for dividends of democracy, including provision of good roads.
The statement added: “It is possible that the Governor is being overwhelmed by the demands of his office and that is why he has not been able to address Nigerlites.”
They insisted that nothing short of addressing citizens on this subject matter will assuage the people’s curiosity.
They said: ““Governor Bello himself once said his administration will be transparent and will have zero tolerance for corruption. We want him to be practical, live by example. We are not interested on the ongoing attacks or blame games.
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