Details of the Historic Event in Kogi as Yahaya Bello is Sworn-in as Governor without a Deputy

 

Today, January 27th, Kogi State made another unusual history as its 4th democratically elected governor, Yahaya Bello, was sworn in without his deputy, James Faleke, who was nominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as he was not present for the swearing in ceremony.

 

The legal implication of that arrangement remained unclear on Wednesday as it is the first time in Nigeria’s political history that an elected governor would be inaugurated without a deputy.

 

The North-Central state made history late last year when a leading governorship candidate, Abubakar Audu, died before its governorship election is concluded, throwing the state into what appeared to be a constitutional logjam.

 

Yahaya Bello was inaugurated today by the Chief Judge of the state, Nasir Ajana, who administered the oath of office and that of allegiance on him.

 

Those who attended Wednesday’s inauguration include the National Chairman of the APC, John Odigie-Oyegun as well as the governor of Nasarawa state, Tanko Al-Makura and the Minister of Communication Technology, Adebayo Shittu.

 

The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, was represented by Kabir Gaya, a senator and former governor of Kano.

 

The Senator representing Kogi East, Dino Melaye, gave the welcome address, at the inauguration and said it was historic because 'a minority is now the governor of Kogi state.'

 

He pledged that Bello would not disappoint the people of the state and called on all aggrieved people to unite and cooperate with the new governor for the sake of Kogi state.