I had to run for my life due to threats I received

Idris Ichalla Wada, a former governor of Kogi State, has said he had to run away from the state because some people were threatening his life shortly after the November 2015 governorship election.

Wada made the claim at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders’ meeting in Lokoja, saying he had to flee abroad to save his life due to some pockets of threats he received from his opponents shortly after the election and that if he had not left the state at that time he would have been dead by now.

Wada said: “It was very wise and strategic for me to go under for some time because there were pockets of threats to my life, and I had to secretly relocate to UK for about four months to save my head and also take rest, because I was virtually working for 18 hours every day in my four-year administration, without rest”.

The former governor, who debunked the rumour of being arrested by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) or any security organisation, also denied the allegation that he was sick.

According to him, “In my four months sojourn abroad, some people were rumouring that I ran away to avoid arrest from the EFCC and ICPC, some even said I took ill because we lost in the election, but I want to tell you that no security organisation has so far invited me for questioning, neither was I sick, because I served the state with my abilities and conscience and I have no reason to fear anybody”.

He also expressed the need for the party members to come together ahead of 2019 governorship election in the state, emphasising that it was clear now that PDP was far better than the ruling party in the state.

He urged his party to forget about the past election and plan ahead.

Reacting to the recent declaration by the Yahaya Bello administration to probe past administrations, Wada said he would not lose sleep over such threats, adding that he would always walk proud anytime, any day they call him as his conscience is very clear.

According to him, “Am not looking at 2019; for me my life is in the hand of God. I will walk proud anytime any day they call me; my conscience is very clear that I serve the state with the best of my ability and any day I can come in without any regret. So I thank God for the opportunity to serve the people for four years, dedicatedly, that is quite enough for me”.

Wada further said: “For me, when I came in to this state I came with a determination to move the state forward and if you will recall I set up a think tank team that can identify the core areas that can move the state forward and we did the best we could. By probing whatever that has happened, I don’t see the benefit. In my view the thing was to focus our energy on how to move the state forward; complete ongoing projects.

“Do new projects that will improve the lives of our people? That was my focus; you know if an organisation wants to look back it can’t move forward. If you look at your rear mirror, you can’t progress while driving so it is only better to look forward. I did my best for the state with the resources available. I followed the laws, rules, due process and regulation and any question I am asked by the grace of God, I believe I will be able to answer.”

The state PDP Chairman, Samuel Uhuotu, also pleaded with members not to be discouraged by the crisis rocking the national leadership of the party, adding that the issue was about to be resolved.

Uhuotu also disclosed that the party was seriously facing financial crisis in the state as there was no money in the party’s coffers to run the secretariat even as he pleaded with notably party loyalists to do all they can to fund the party.

Victoria Nnakiaike