The new Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello, yesterday, declared his stand against corruption and impunity, saying he was in a hurry to develop the state.
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| Governor Yahaya Bello |
Bello stated this after he was administered the oath of office and Oath of Allegiance as the fourth civilian governor of the state by the state Chief Judge, Justice Nasir Ajanah.
The governor, however, was betrayed by his emotion, when he burst into tears while remembering his late father and eulogising his mother and recalling the many troubles he faced before he became governor.
The inauguration ceremony was, however, conducted without a deputy governor, as the unwilling deputy governor-elect, James Faleke, boycotted the event in continuation of his stand not to be associated with Bello’s emergence as replacement for late Abubakar Audu, the deceased All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate.
Indeed, Bello’s swearing-in without a deputy governor, drew plaudits and criticisms from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and some stakeholders.
The peaceful event was witnessed by a mammoth crowd as the 25,000 capacity Confluence Stadium venue was filled to capacity.
Speaking after his inauguration, Bello said the era of corruption and impunity is over, adding that he would toe the footpath of President Muhammadu Buhari in developing the state.
He said: “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, 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.
He said: “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 with 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 as he strives to redeem the lost image and restore the glory of the State.
Dignitaries who witnessed the event included Governors Tanko Almakura (Nasarawa), and Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Mr. James Ocholi. The wives of the President, Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representative were all represented.
The inauguration of Yahaya Bello as the Governor of Kogi State without a deputy received knocks and kudos from some stakeholders in the state.
Among those who spoke in favour of the inauguration is one-time Commissioner of Education in defunct Kwara State, Dr. David Atte.
Dr. Atte, who was a member of the transition committee, said the success of the programme, in spite 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 a deputy governor for Bello in view of the continuous unwillingness of the deputy-governor-elect, James Faleke.
However, Faleke described the inauguration as a ritual that will not stand the test of time.
Faleke, through his spokesperson, Duro Meseko said: “For us in Audu/Faleke political organisation, the swearing in programme today (yesterday) is an ordinary ritual that has no bearing or 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.”
However, National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and Senator Dino Melaye have 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”.
Melaye, who was chairman of the inauguration ceremony appealed to all aggrieved members to have a change of heart and join the ‘change’ train with Bello to move the state forward.
Reacting to the issue, the national leadership of the PDP said the swearing in of Bello as governor of Kogi State without a deputy was an aberration.
Speaking with Vanguard yesterday, PDP Legal Adviser, Mr Victor Kwon, said: “These are some of the things that happen nowadays. The constitution says that the nomination of a governorship candidate is not complete unless there is the nomination of his deputy or a running mate, it is an aberration.”
Source: The Vanguard
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