APC Kogi Deputy Governrship Candidate, Abiodun James Faleke
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on Wednesday, December 10, said the party might finally consider the option of replacing its deputy governor-elect in Kogi State, James Abiodun Faleke, if all reconciliatory moves prove abortive.
Chief Odigie-Oyegun spoke at the national secretariat of the party while addressing newsmen on current issues in the country.
The APC chief however, said “consultations to bring everybody back on board” were going on.
He explained that the Kogi crisis, which was still evolving, was a settled issue, adding that with the decision taken by the party, the APC was ready to face any legal hurdle.
He said the party adopted a simple commonsensical solution which was legally defensible in the choice of Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
Oyegun said: “We have thought the process through and we have won the election in Kogi. Those we feel aggrieved, it is for them to call to question whatever they feel aggrieved about. We will meet them on those grounds. For us in the APC, Kogi is a settled issue, if you want to go to the tribunal, we'll meet you there, if you want to go to court, we'll meet you there.
“Kogi is basically resolved, thank God in favour of the APC. It is very unfortunate that tragic event occurred that the entire polity had to be original to finding solutions to problems which detailed as the constitution is, were not envisaged. In the next few weeks, depending on who goes to court or who doesn’t, we will know the boundaries of the law in respect of these issues.
“As at now, we are very glad that the results that we have got. I’m very sure that they would uphold virtually in every tribunal whatsoever because we have adopted simple commonsensical solution, legally defendable proceeding from the unfortunate situation we found ourselves in,” he spoke on the reasons why the party settled for Bello.
Asked whether the party would sanction Faleke for declaring himself a bonafide candidate without consulting the party, the APC National Chairman said, “as political party, we simply understand the frustration that emanated from the death of late Prince Abubakar Audu.
"However, it is normal for us to accommodate the immediate reactions coming from the people involved. They were at the gate of victory, but was shut at the faces because of the unfortunate death of their mentor (Abubakar Audu) who would have been our governor in the state. So, a lot of things which normally we would not have accepted happened. But we have to accept them so long that everybody we simmer down as time passes by.
Wielding out the big stick in a situation like this might not be appropriate. But there will be a timeline to it, enough will be enough at a certain time.”
But when told that Faleke had pledged not to attend the swearing-in ceremony, he said, “On the Faleke issue, it is a straightforward and easy issue. We have replaced a governorship candidate. If the need arises and subject to what the law says, we will also get a deputy governorship candidate. But we will cross those bridges as they arise. But they have not arisen yet.”