Kogi: Governor Yahaya Bello Nominates Deputy

 

Kogi: Governor Yahaya Bello Nominates Deputy

Following the refusal of Honourable James Faleke to be running mate to the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the governor on February 8 finally appointed Hon. Simon Achuba as his deputy.

Achuba, a former deputy speaker of the state House of Assembly was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before decamping to All Progressives Congress (APC) few weeks to state governorship election.

It was reliably gathered today that the governor has sent his name to the state assembly for confirmation on next Wednesday when the assembly will be seating.

Forwarding of the name of Achuba to the state assembly brings to rest the insinuation in some parts of the state that some people were jostling for the number two position as the governor was yet to choose one out of them since he has the prerogative to appoint somebody he can work with.

The letter of appointment of Achuba signed by the governor and forwarded to the state assembly reads in part: “In line with the provision of section 186 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended, I have the pleasure to forward herewith the name of Hon. Simon Achuba for approval of appointment as the deputy governor of Kogi State.

“Achuba hails from Ibaji Local Government Area of the state and was a two-time member of the assembly (1999 to 2007) wherein he was deputy speaker of the assembly during his second tenure (2003 to 2007).

“In view of the above, it will be highly appreciated if the request is treated and approved with utmost speed to pave way for his assumption of office.”

Sources further hinted that the state assembly, on the reception of the letter, fixed February 10 for the confirmation as deputy governor of the name forwarded to it.

Bello replaced Prince Abubakar Audu following his demise.

Faleke, the running mate of late Audu, kicked against his emergence, saying he was the right person to take over the government, since they were leading in votes counted before it was declared inconclusive by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

As a result of these, Faleke refused to accept the position of a running mate to Bello for the supplementary election.

He dragged INEC and Bello before a Federal High Court in Abuja in an attempt to stop the supplementary election, asking the court to declare him winner of the governorship election, but he lost the case.

Not satisfied, Faleke forwarded his case before governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Lokoja, asking the tribunal to declare him winner of the last governorship election.