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| Gov Bello taking his oath of office |
The
governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the December 5, 2015
supplementary governorship election in Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, was
inaugurated on Wednesday as the Kogi State governor without a deputy.
Mr.
James Faleke, who was the running mate to the deceased APC Kogi State
governorship candidate during the November 21 governorship election, Alhaji
Abubakar Audu, did not show up at the ceremony at the Confluence Stadium in
Lokoja, the state capital.
Faleke
had refused to be Bello’s deputy and had headed for the tribunal asking the
court to declare him the governor of the state having been running mate to Audu
who died on November 22, the day the election was declared inconclusive.
Bello who shed tears during his inauguration while recalling his mother’s
contributions to his growth in life after his father’s death, also paid a
glowing tribute to Audu, saying he would work with other stakeholders to
immortalise him.
He promised to make health, security education and heavy
investment in solid minerals the focus of his administration.
He also declared zero tolerance for corruption and impunity,
adding that he would reform the civil service for efficient service delivery.
The newly inaugurated governor, who is 40, said he would also
pay great attention to the provision of basic social amenities and security of
lives and property in the state.
Bello said he would meet with all the relevant stakeholders
with a view to ending the lingering strike embarked upon by workers in the
state over their unpaid salaries.
He promised to do his best to gradually pay the four-month
arrears as soon as possible.
The governor stated that he would run an exemplary, open and
inclusive government. He urged the residents of the state to contribute their
quota to the advancement of the state and the success of his administration.
Bello said, “I belong to a generation that strongly believes
in a complete departure from the way and manner public office is run. There is
no greater evil than corruption, and nothing champions that more than impunity.
“Corruption and impunity make sure our people repeatedly
arrive at a broken future and finally bereaved of success or the promised
better life.”
Bello commended his predecessor, Idris Wada, for his
cooperation which he noted led to a successful transition.
The governor, who solicited the cooperation of the people of
the state to enable him to succeed, urged them to give him the benefit of the
doubt and see the quick transformation of the state.
Earlier, the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John
Odigie-Oyegun, had urged the people of Kogi to accept the will of God.
He also appealed to the people of the state to give Bello total
support.
The APC chairman promised that party at the national level
would give Bello the required support and assistance to succeed.
Odigie-Oyegun said, “I want to say with emphasis that Bello
is a gift to Kogi State. I have interacted with him. He is a man who has the
interest of the state at heart. Though he is young, he is sincere in his quest
to transform the state.”.
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