A new viral video has triggered widespread reactions across Nigeria after former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, was seen instructing newly elected lawmaker Hassan Shado and his supporters to sit on the floor during a political meeting in Abuja.
The gathering, which took place at Bello’s residence on Monday, was convened to officially present Shado, the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker-elect for Dekina-Okura II State Constituency, who emerged victorious in the August 16 by-election.
According to results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Shado secured 55,073 votes to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Godwin Meliga, who managed just 1,038 votes. The resounding margin further consolidated APC’s grip on Kogi politics, but the viral footage from the meeting shifted focus to Bello’s style of political control.
In the video, Bello is seen addressing Shado directly while making his supporters sit on the floor as a mark of submission. He warned the lawmaker-elect to show absolute loyalty to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, his political protégé and successor.
Bello emphasized that every action taken in the Kogi State House of Assembly must align with the governor’s agenda, regardless of personal opinion or understanding.
“As you are going in there now, go and cooperate with the Speaker, other members of the House of Assembly of Kogi State, and be part of those that will support Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in everything that comes to the Assembly — even if you don’t understand it,” Bello declared while gesturing sternly.
The former governor further reminded Shado that electoral success was not the result of individual strength but the collective effort of party members and grassroots loyalists who worked tirelessly during nominations and campaigns.
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By making his point, Bello appeared to draw a symbolic line between political hierarchy and loyalty, using the controversial act of making allies sit on the floor to reinforce submission to party structures.
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