Kogi: Despite Impressive Attendance; Governor Bello Sworn-in Without Deputy

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News From The State Wednesday, January 27th, 2016

By Abdul Gaffar Bello

Kogi State now has a new Executive Governor as Alhaji Yahya Bello of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) late Wednesday morning was sworn in to succeed the immediate past Governor, Idris Wada of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

However, the swearing-in ceremony which was well attended by army of the party members; supporters; family and friends was not without a big minus, as Bello’s running mate, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke was conspicuously absent.

It would be recalled Faleke, a serving member of the House of Representatives, has declined the APC’s pairing him with Bello for the Kogi’s 2015 Governorship conclusive poll.

The Federal Lawmaker has argued that his party ought to have fielded him for the Saturday November 21 State gubernatorial rescheduled conclusive poll, following the death of the substantive candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, to whom he was nominated as the running mate.

Giving the polls recorded and those that were cancelled owing to electoral violence, Faleke who is presently pursuing his case at the State Election Petition Tribunal, has insisted the poll has been contested, won and lost, hence, no question of inconclusiveness as declared by the INEC Returning Officer, Professor Emmanuel Kucha.

Governor Bello swearing-in which held at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja, the State capital, was administered by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Nasir Ajanah.

Among the personalities who attended the inauguration were the ruling APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; Minister of Communications, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu; Minister of State for Labour, Mr. James Ocholi, who is an indigene of the State.

Also in attendance were the Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Ataba Omolori, also an indigene of the state; the Speaker of the State’s House of Assembly, Hon. Jimoh Lawal and some members of the National Assembly (NASS).