Barring any court order, all is now set for tomorrow’s inauguration of the Kogi governor-elect, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
He may however be sworn-in without a deputy governor elect, as Abiodun James Faleke, had rejected the position.
He is at present challenging the substitution of his dead principal, Abubakar Audu with Bello.
Faleke believed that the election was already won by Audu before the Independent National Electoral Commission ordered a supplementary poll. And that in the absence of Audu, he should be the beneficiary of the result. Audu died amidst INEC’s declaration of the election held on 21 November 2015 as inconclusive, based on the argument that the margin of victory between Audu and incumbent Idris Wada was lower than the number of registered voters yet to cast their ballots
Justice Halima Mohammed, heading the Kogi State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, in Lokoja, on Monday removed two of the obstacles on the way to Bello’s inauguration. She dismissed two motions seeking interlocutory injunction to stop the event.
The two motions on notice, seeking an order of the tribunal, were filed by the counsels to Governor Idris Wada and the PDP, Chief Chris Uche (SAN) and that of the Labour Party, Reuben Egwuaba Esq.
The inauguration will hold at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja, at 10:00 am, according to a statement issued by the chairman, media and publicity committee of Bello’s inauguration committee, Alhaji Isiaq Ajibola.
President Muhammadu Buhari, vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Senate president, members of the national and state assemblies, state governors, federal ministers and captains of industry are all expected to attend the ceremony.
“As part of hand over preparations, the Kogi State Government under the leadership of the outgoing governor, His Excellency, Capt Idris Wada, recently set up a Transition Committee which has been meeting with a similar committee set up by the incoming governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to ensure a smooth transition.
“Part of the lineup of activities for the occasion included the swearing of the governor, delivery of his inaugural speech, cultural displays etc.
“We seize this opportunity to advise the general public to be orderly, peaceful and to co-operate with law enforcement agents who have been directed to take strategic positions in Lokoja township and environs, to ensure a hitch-free event. Motorists moving in and out of Lokoja are equally advised to comply with speed limit on the roads and obey traffic rules to avoid unnecessary logjam.”
