Yahaya Bello heads to court, as Buhari orders Kogi govt to reopen Obajana cement plant

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Kogi State government to reopen the Dangote Cement Plant in Obajana area of the State.

The Dangote Group and Kogi State government have been locked in ownership tussle on the cement factory.

The Kogi State House of Assembly had ordered the closure of the factory on October 5 after the two parties failed to come to terms on the plant’s ownership structure.

At least seven persons were injured when security agents stormed the factory to enforce the Assembly’s order.

The Kogi State government also accused the Dangote Group of planning to cause chaos in the State over the closure of the factory.

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed Buhari’s directive to State House correspondents at the end of the National Security Council meeting in Abuja on Friday.

“The Council noted the development in Kogi and has ordered the reopening of the cement factory that is closed down, has advised that all issues relating to that industry or factory should be resolved legally.”

“Nobody must take law into their hands, either as a government or an individual. We are committed to guaranteeing and providing employment for Nigerians.

“So, whatever will, in any way, hinder that must be discouraged. So in that regard, the cement industry in Obajana must be reopened and all issues that are in dispute should be resolved legally.”

On his part, the Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, said the directive was based on an agreement between the Kogi State government and Dangote Cement.

He said: “On the issue of Kogi, we should not forget to mention that an agreement has been reached between the Kogi State government and the Dangote Cement in Kogi on the need to reopen the factory and to ensure that peace is maintained in the State.

“The government is committed to providing employment to the citizens, rather than closing factories that will make people unemployed. These are some of the issues we have reached and we do hope that the parties involved will respect this agreement and come to terms with the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the parties involved.”

Meanwhile, the Kogi State government has resolved to approach the law court for redress regardless of Buhari’s directive on Friday.

The State government’s position was conveyed by the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, who said that at the meeting, which ran into the early hours of Friday, all stakeholders resolved to head to court in the interest of the people and generations to come.

He said: “The last has not been heard of the Kogi-Dangote face-off over the ownership of the Obajana cement llant as the Kogi state government, resolved on Friday to drag Dangote ccement Plc to court and reclaim what rightfully belongs to the people.”

Fanwo said that the decision to go to court was taken at an emergency meeting on Thursday night between key government officials, led by Governor Yahaya Bello and stakeholders representing the different ethnic groups in the State.

He said the governor made it clear to the House that there is no going back on the State’s resolve to reclaim its asset, even while he sued for calm in the interest of peace.

“This struggle is not about governor Yahaya Bello or his administration. It is about the people of Kogi state. In the last 72 hours, well meaning Nigerians, leaders and government officials have waded in and have pleaded with the governor to consider reopening of the plant while discussions are ongoing.

“The expectations of the over 4 million Kogites are clear and high and we want to assure them that the governor and the government of Kogi state will not compromise the interest of the people of the state to reclaim their rights in the cement company.

“There were series of high powered meetings to resolve the impasse, including meetings having the governor and Alh. Aliko Dangote in attendance. Discussions were held and statements of interest were established. But there was no agreement yet as some desperate parties are trying to promote in the media to mislead the public. We shall be non-violent in our approach as we are sure of green pathways to success for the people in this battle for the economic future of our dear state.

“However, we maintain that the collective asset of the people of Kogi state must be protected and reclaimed in this instance. And that is the process the government has started. We will fight this battle to the end until we get justice from the courts. No committee can resolve this dispute,” he concluded.