By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

Movement for the Emancipation of Kogi State (MEKSTA) Accuses Yahaya Bello of Corruption Amid Ongoing Court Cases

Kogi State, Nigeria – Despite being embroiled in multiple corruption cases for alleged embezzlement of a staggering N200 billion during his tenure as Governor, Yahaya Bello’s lavish lifestyle continues to raise eyebrows as he reportedly diverts more state funds for personal use.

According to credible intelligence shared by the Movement for the Emancipation of Kogi State (MEKSTA), Bello has directed his successor, Usman Ododo, to release N3 billion from Kogi State’s coffers for personal purposes, including settling the financial needs of his newest wife.

Sources claim that the N3 billion was allocated “for urgent needs” to support Bello’s latest marital venture, a woman he married shortly before embarking on the lesser hajj pilgrimage ahead of Ramadan. This latest addition to his marital harem comes on the heels of a high-profile divorce from his first wife, Amina Oyiza Bello, a lawyer, who has since challenged her displacement in court. It is believed that Bello’s new wife was reportedly “bought” with a sum of N500 million, paid to her mother to secure the marriage.

Adding fuel to the fire, insiders reveal that Ododo was instructed by Bello to provide a luxurious home for his new bride, either in Asokoro or Maitama, alongside a fleet of five brand-new luxury vehicles and a team of personal aides. This comes just months after similar lavish expenditures were made for Hiqma Bello, whom the Governor married in July 2025. Ododo, though reportedly uneasy about the extravagant demand, was reminded by Bello of his role in securing the governorship nomination and his commitment to meeting the Governor’s wishes.

The allegations paint a troubling picture of ongoing financial mismanagement, with the Kogi State Government recently applying for a N50 billion SUKUK loan under the guise of constructing an international market and an airport. Yet, residents of Kogi State continue to endure what MEKSTA describes as “tokenist governance,” while the state suffers from crippling poverty, insecurity, and a lack of development.

The Kogi State Governor’s lavish lifestyle has raised alarm among critics, particularly as he continues to extract public resources for personal gain. Bello, who receives a N2.5 billion monthly subvention from the state, has been accused of pilfering state funds to sustain his opulent existence, all while neglecting the pressing needs of the people of Kogi State.

While it is not MEKSTA’s place to monitor the Governor’s personal affairs, the organization has expressed grave concern over what it sees as the wholesale conversion of Kogi’s resources into a private estate for Bello’s benefit. “What was sold to the people of Kogi as the candidacy of a businessman who would bring success to the state has, in reality, been a facade for a kleptocratic regime,” MEKSTA’s leadership stated in a press release.
Meanwhile, Ododo, who is seen as a “puppet” Governor, continues to operate mainly out of Abuja, with state officials and commissioners spending most of their time away from Kogi State’s capital, Lokoja. This, critics argue, mirrors Bello’s own approach to governance, where official duties in Kogi have taken a backseat to personal interests.

With security challenges rampant in the state, including banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping, Kogi’s residents are growing increasingly frustrated by what they perceive as a government indifferent to their needs. The state’s grim economic and social conditions remain largely ignored as Bello and Ododo continue their alleged plundering.

In its statement, MEKSTA has vowed to continue speaking out against what it calls a “corrupt dynasty” and promises that the truth will eventually come to light. “History is patient, and the greatest enemy of the presumptuous is time,” the group warned, drawing parallels with former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El Rufai, who was recently detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for similar charges.

The full extent of the alleged financial misappropriations under Bello’s regime and his successor Ododo remains to be seen, but MEKSTA’s statement has sent a strong message that the battle for Kogi State’s future is far from over.

The statement Signed by:
Hon. Obafemi Medaiyese (Yagba Federal Constituency)
Comrade Joseph Mebatonije (Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency)
Alhaji Yusuf Kpareke (Lokoja/Kotonkarfe Federal Constituency)
Mallam Jimoh Ozovehe (Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency)
Dr. Nurudeen Adaviriku (Okene/Ogori-Magongo)
Alhaji Isiaka Momoh (Ajaokuta Federal Constituency)
Chief Ojonimi Adegbe (Idah/Igalamela-Odolu/Ofu/Ibaji Federal Constituency)
Pastor Mark Onucheyo (Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency)
Bishop Husseini Saidu (Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro Federal Constituency).