Bello's Supporters Jubilates as Supreme Court Affirms Election

Yahaya Bello

It was celebration galore in Lokoja and other parts of the state yesterday after the Supreme court affirms Governor Yahaya Bello's election.

As soon as the news on the Supreme Court ruling upholding the election of the governor filtered into the state capital, Lokoja, from Abuja, people trooped out to the streets in excitement and started making calls congratulating one another.

The announcement doused the tension which had taken over the state in the past weeks prior to the judgment of the supreme court.

The governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, after the judgment, said his victory at the Supreme Court was a “big honour to democracy.”

Women celebrating governor's victory

In showing appreciation to the people of the state and the country, the governor said;

“The landmark judgment of the Supreme Court today, which affirmed my election is a watershed in the annals of electoral jurisprudence and constitutional law in the country. It was a long walk to victory which will reshape the constitution of the nation.

“I remain humble and magnanimous in victory and I therefore called on those who contested with me to join me in building a greater Kogi State.

“The victory belongs to all Kogi people who believe in transforming the state from a potentially great state to a really great state.

“I am committed to serving the people and making the state the centre of excellence and the cynosure of all eyes,” he said.

The governor warned supporters against “unbridled celebration,” saying the moment was a challenge to all residents of the state to reflect on how to make it great.

Youths celebrating governor's victory

The governor said he would continue to pursue his cardinal goals of improving education, reinventing healthcare, boosting infrastructure development, as well as raising the capacity of citizens to reinvigorate the economy.

Meanwhile, reacting to the supreme court judgment, James Falake, the deputy governorship candidate in the November 21, 2015 election in the state, who had challenged Bello’s election as governor said he had no regrets challenging the decision to declare the election inconclusive as the step was taken in good faith to protect the interest of the over 240,000 electorate voted for the Audu/Faleke ticket in that election.

Faleke said as a lawmaker, he would be glad to read the details of the judgment so as to “know which areas of our nation’s jurisprudence requires urgent review”.

He further urged his supporters to remain calm, peaceful and law abiding, while thanking them for their support and perseverance all through the court proceedings.