This incident happened in February 2023, just before the Nigerian general elections (National Assembly elections on February 25, 2023).
What Happened:
During the lead-up to the 2023 elections, Governor Yahaya Bello (then governor of Kogi State, APC) was accused of ordering the excavation/destruction of several roads (reportedly 5 major roads/gulleys) leading to areas in Kogi Central Senatorial District, particularly routes to the hometown and strongholds of opposition PDP senatorial candidate Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
- Purpose alleged by critics: To hinder INEC officials, police, election materials, and voters from easily accessing polling units in opposition-friendly areas, thereby suppressing votes where Bello’s APC was not popular.
- Residents and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly called it out, with videos showing deep trenches dug across roads. Some communities had to manually fill the roads back with sand and stones overnight to allow access.
Government’s Defense:
Yahaya Bello and the Kogi State Government claimed the road excavations were:
- Done by a construction company (CCECC) as part of security measures to prevent bandits/terrorists from using the roads.
- Not politically motivated.
This explanation was widely dismissed by opposition figures and many residents as a pretext for electoral manipulation.
Outcome:
- Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan still won the Kogi Central Senatorial seat (though it faced legal challenges; she was eventually affirmed by the Court of Appeal).
- The incident became one of the notable controversies of the 2023 elections in Kogi State, widely covered on social media and by outlets like Punch, Sahara Reporters, and others.
This fits into broader accusations of electoral malpractices in Kogi under Bello’s administration, known for high political tension, godfatherism, and violence.
If you need videos, specific news links, or more context about the 2023 Kogi elections, let me know.