Gov. Abubakar sani bello
Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani is under fire following his trip to London to watch last Saturday’s Premier League game between Chelsea and Arsenal.
The governor explained on his Twitter page that he was at Stamford Bridge to watch the match at the instance of Chelsea midfielder, Mikel Obi, who plans to set up a football academy in the state.
“I was at Stamford Bridge to watch the derby between Chelsea and Arsenal at the invitation of John Obi Mikel,” he wrote.
He said Mikel approached the state government to partner with him in developing its sports, stressing that it will be wrong to turn down a willing investor.
Similarly, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ibraheem Dooba, noted that Bello was in Europe and that his visit to Stamford Bridge was part of his itinerary since he was to meet other international development partners, adding that he was invited by Mikel.
But residents of the state would not have any of these explanations, saying such act was the reason the state was in financial crisis.
A trader, Moses Akwu told The Punch that “Things are hard for us in Niger while our governor is travelling to watch matches. I heard they said he was invited but is it not government resources that he used to go on the trip?
“We did not vote him in to watch football, we voted him because we want him to work and bring back the lost glory of the state. Watching matches is not governance, it is absolute recklessness.”
Another resident, Gambo Mohammed, said the governor needed to focus on governance.
“Sports development is not what Niger State needs now. We need jobs for our unemployed youths, boost for our economy and agriculture, and good roads.”
Bello, it was reported, had on August 31 warned sports officials not to use his name to organise sports competitions, during a visit by board members of the Nigeria Chess Federation and the state hockey team that won the National Super League.
Federation President, Suleman Gora had requested to organise a national championship in his honour which he objected saying, “I am not a billboard.”
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