I Belong T Nobody- Yahaya Bello Snubs Oyegun, Ocholi, Picks Own Deputy
Baring any change, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello is set to defy the
National leadership of the All Progressives Congress and nominate Hon. Simeon
Achuba as his deputy Governor.
It would be recalled that following James Faleke’s withdrawal before the
supplementary Kogi governorship election, the office of Deputy Governor became
vacant.
The November 21, 2015 governorship election was held in the state with
Prince Abubakar Audu
and James Faleke on the APC Ballot. But while counting was on-going, Prince
Audu died, thus, requiring for a replacement as suggested by the Attorney
General and Minister for Justice, a suggestion the national leadership of the
APC carried out to the later.
On 27th of January, 2016, Alhaji Yahaya Bello was sworn-in as Governor without
a Deputy, thus creating a vacuum and constitutional crisis.
Several interest groups had shown interest in becoming the deputy governor.
The West Senatorial District where James Faleke hails from had insisted in
having the office retained in the zone.
Justina Abanida, David Atte, Sam Aro and other top notch politicians from the
area had shown interest.
But in the wisdom and preference of Alhaji Bello, he seem to have preferred
Simon Achuba, who was alleged to have only joined the party, three weeks to
the governorship election.
Achuba who hail from Ibaji Local Government Area, has majority opposition from
his Ibaji Local Government Area, even as the APC National and his area would
have preferred Alex Akoje, considered a party man, level headed and
controllable.
But largely said to have been supported by Edward Onoja, Chief of Staff to the
Governor, the Governor defied all appeal and pressure and settled for Achuba.
This is the second time the Governor would defy appeal. It would be recalled
that at the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, the Governor was alleged to
have paid deaf ears to the selection of Martins Makoju, a retired Permanent
Secretary, nominated by Ebira people to serve as Chief of Staff in preference
for Edward Onoja, his school mate and bosom friend of several years.
As at time of going to the press, there is protest from Ibaji, Ofu and Idah
Local Government Area to the National APC Secretariat on the choice of Achuba.
But strong indication points to the preference to Achuba by the state
governor.
The choice of Deputy Governor, which would be forwarded to the State House of
Assembly soon, would likely scale through, but would no doubt add to the
several grievances held against the governor by his kinsmen and party men
since his assumption of office.
According to some party men, the style of the governor has certainly pushed
and retired those considered seasoned and experienced in politics and
administration to the background, in preference for a younger generation of
leaders, considered not matured and inexperience in a complex state like Kogi.
For now, like a graveyard, peace, the people in Kogi are watching, on God, the
Tribunal for the next few months, with the APC worst hit and fractionalised by
the several unsettled issues while those in the PDP, though still devastated
by their loss, are waiting and praying for an intervention.
Kogi Reports
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