NEWS: NIGERIA - Yahaya Bello sworn in as Governor of Kogi without a deputy

The new Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello, on Wednesday, declared his stands against corruption and impunity, said he was in a hurry to develop the state.

Bello stated this today, after he was administered the oath of office and oath of allegiance as the 4th civilian governor of the state by the State Chief Judge, Justice Nasir Ajanah.
The governor however was betrayed by his emotion, and busted into tears while remembering his late father and eulogising his mother for her sole effort to raised him up; and the many troubles before he became the governor.

The inauguration ceremony was however conducted without a deputy-governor, as the unwilling deputy-governor elect, James Faleke boycotted the events in continuation of his stand not to be associated with Bello’s emergence as replacement to late Abubakar Audu.

The swearing-in ceremony which was peaceful was witnessed by mammoth crowd inside and outside the Confluence stadium, with the 25,000 sitting capacity stadium filled to the brim.

Speaking after the inauguration, Bello said the era of corruption and impunity is over, stressing to follow the footpath of President Muhammedu Buhari in developing the state.

“I will be responsible to all people irrespective of where they stand during the election. President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement on May 29, 2015 where he declared, ‘I belong to everybody, but I belong to nobody,’ will characterise my tenure as I promise equitable governance for all the people of the state.

“My administration will serve the people of the state. And because corruption is the greatest evil channelled through impunity, I declare my zero tolerance to corruption and impunity.”

Bello who promised to do things differently, said there will be a new direction in the governance of the state, “I will use Kogi resources to work for Kogi people, positive and decisive action will be taken to rescue Kogi.

“We have conceived a socio-economic blueprint to rebuild the state. Education, health, state-of-the-art security, roads, agriculture, investment in mineral and tourism potential of the state will be harnessed.

“The blueprint will be tailored by all stakeholders to make contribution, and we will work along the civil servants to achieve our 100 days, first year, mid-term and end-of-term targets.”

Bello while seeking for the understanding of the people, urged them to give him the benefit of doubt while he strife to redeem the lost image and restore the glory of the state.

Dignitaries who witness the event were, Governor Tanko Almakura, Governor Ortom of Nasarawa and Benue States respectively, minister of state for Labour and Productivity, Barr. James Ocholi, while the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representative, Yakubu Dogara, were all represented among others dignitaries.

Stakeholders reacts

Meanwhile, the inauguration of Yahaya Bello as the governor of Kogi without a Deputy has received knocks and kudos from some stakeholders in the state.

Amongst those who spoke in favour of the inauguration is one time Commissioner for Education, Kwara state, Dr. David Atte.

Atte who was a member of the transition committee said the success of the program inspite of the antagonistic nature of some politicians towards the governor made it memorable.

He said the party in line with the constitution of the country will fashion out a means to address the issue of deputy-governor for Yahaya Bello in view of the continuous unwillingness of the Deputy-governor elect, James Faleke.

However, James Faleke has described the inauguration as a ruse that will not stand the test of time.

Faleke who spoke through his spokesperson, Duro Meseko said, “For us in Audu/Faleke political organisation, the swearing-in programe today is an ordinary ritual that has no bearing nor impact on our desire to actualise our mandate.

“We have stated over and over again that the Audu/Faleke team won the November 21, 2015 governorship election in Kogi State and that if any swearing in is to take place, it should be Hon. James Faleke who is Audu’s running mate that should be sworn in.”

However, the national Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Chef John Oyegun, and Senator Dino Melaye has appealed to all aggrieved members of the party to embrace peace and support Bello.

Oyegun said, “We have no choice but to allow Bello as the will of God for Kogi State. Bello is a gift to Kogi people and we must bury our hatchet and support him”.

Dino Melaye who was the Chairman of the Inauguration ceremony appealed to aggrieved members to have a change of heart and join the ‘change’ train along with Bello to move the state forward.

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