A viral video has sparked reactions online after showing former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, ordering newly elected State House of Assembly member, Hassan Shado, and his supporters to sit on the floor during a meeting in Abuja.
In the video, Bello didn’t just stop at making them sit down; he went further to warn them to strictly obey every instruction of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo. He emphasized total loyalty, saying they must support the governor in everything that comes to the House, whether they fully understand it or not.
Shado, who recently won the Dekina-Okura II by-election under the All Progressives Congress (APC), was introduced to Bello by party members. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared him winner after polling 55,073 votes against his PDP rival, Godwin Meliga, who managed 1,038 votes.
While speaking, Bello reminded Shado that his victory wasn’t by his effort alone but through the hard work and sacrifice of loyal supporters at the grassroots. He urged him to promote unity, inclusiveness, and teamwork within the party. According to him, political success is always collective.
“You have been declared winner of this election. But remember, it was not by your effort alone. Your people stood firmly behind you; they worked for your success. Do not let them down in any way,” Bello said.
Bello also called on the people of Kogi East to embrace togetherness, insisting that the unity displayed in the last election should be sustained. He expressed optimism that APC would continue to dominate the political space, boldly declaring that President Bola Tinubu, Governor Ododo, and other party candidates would keep winning future elections.
But beyond the political loyalty talk, Bello himself has been battling serious corruption allegations since leaving office. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused him of diverting over ₦110 billion from Kogi State funds during his tenure.
Instead of facing trial, Bello reportedly evaded the EFCC for months. Several attempts to arrest him failed, including a dramatic encounter in April 2024 where he allegedly escaped in Governor Ododo’s convoy after a clash between EFCC operatives and security aides.
Frustrated by his no-show, the courts ordered notices pasted at his residence, giving him deadlines to appear. Still, he refused to comply. It wasn’t until November 26, 2024, that Bello finally surrendered at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, ending a cat-and-mouse chase that had dragged for months.
For many Nigerians, the viral video of Bello demanding absolute loyalty from new lawmakers raises tough questions: how much influence does he still wield behind the scenes, even after leaving office? And with his corruption trial hanging in the balance, will justice truly take its course, or will politics once again overshadow accountability?
