By Abiola Olawale
The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has ignited a fresh wave of controversy and intense public scrutiny after a congratulatory letter he sent to the newly appointed Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, was published using the coat of arms logo of Nigeria.
The letter, which was quickly deleted from the former governor’s verified social media accounts following immediate backlash, bore Nigeria’s coat of arms despite being a private citizen.
This has escalated concerns about allegations of an unauthorized use of official state insignia and stationery by a private citizen.
Critics argue that this action blurs the crucial line between a former public office holder and the institution of the state government.
One public affairs analyst, Yusuf M.A., described the incident as a “case study in power hangover,” suggesting that the former governor’s actions demonstrate a “deep-seated attachment to authority” that undermines institutional integrity.
“The Chief of Army Staff reports only to the President, not to any state governor,” he said. “To imply that a governor could ‘have’ the COAS in his corner is institutionally wrong and politically dangerous.”
Below are some reactions from Nigerians;
The backlash on X (formerly Twitter) was swift and unrelenting. @EmmanuelO_K: “Even after leaving office, Yahaya Bello still writes like a sitting governor. It’s embarrassing how some people just can’t let go of power.”
@KogiWatchdog: “Using state letterhead as a private citizen is a breach of protocol. It shows how Bello still sees Kogi as his property.”
@AyoolaWrites: “Leadership is not just about power — it’s about knowing when to let it go.”
