In a surprising move that has left many in the state baffled, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has issued an executive order to freeze all accounts of the state and local governments, effective immediately.
The directive, issued on Thursday, November 22, 2023, has sent shockwaves through the state’s political and financial circles.
The announcement came via a statement signed by the Kogi State Commissioner for Finance, Asiwaju Asiru Idris, on behalf of the governor. In the statement, Commissioner Idris made it unequivocally clear that no payments or transactions of any kind should be conducted from the government accounts until further notice.
This drastic decision follows closely on the heels of Governor Bello’s scathing criticism of certain members of his cabinet and local government Chairmen for their alleged betrayal and disloyalty during the off-cycle governorship election held on November 11, 2023.
Commissioner Idris went on to specify that all standing orders and investment instructions previously in effect are now null and void. The statement read, “No imprest or any form of payment should be made to anyone from Government Account henceforth. Standing Orders and Investment Instructions are hereby cancelled forthwith. All Kogi State and Local Government Accounts are hereby frozen with effect from today, Thursday, 22nd November 2023.”
The exact reasons behind Governor Bello’s decision to freeze all state and local government accounts remain a mystery, leaving both officials and citizens speculating about the possible motivations behind this abrupt and far-reaching financial measure.
Political analysts and experts in the state are closely monitoring the situation, awaiting further developments, and speculating on how this unprecedented move will impact Kogi State’s governance and financial stability.
