SAN FRANCISCO, January 26, (THEWILL) – Following the insistence of the Deputy Governor-elect of Kogi State, Hon. Abiodun Faleke, not to be a part of Wednesday’s swearing-in ceremony, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has declared that the party is prepared for the inauguration of its standard bearer, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, as governor of the state.
Odigie-Oyegun, while exchanging views with newsmen at the APC national secretariat, expressed confidence in the ability of the party to take another action, which he refused to disclose, should Faleke make good his threat not to present himself for the swearing-in.
According to him, “As a party, we have prepared for every possible contingency in the Kogi situation. So, whatever happens in the next few hours, we are ready for it. There is no question and doubt about that.
“I don’t want to go into the details of what will likely happen. That is still between INEC and legal authorities. But just rest confidently, it is sometimes good to be expecting what will happen, keep your gun powder dry and watch.”
It would be recalled that Faleke, the running mate to the party’s deceased standard bearer, Prince Abubakar Audu, rejected the position under Bello, claiming that by virtue of Audu’s death when already leading in an inconclusive governorship election, he was the governor-elect.
Meanwhile, the Kogi East Senatorial District campaign coordinators of the incoming Kogi governor, have nominated an Abuja based publisher and politician, Mr. Gowon Usman Egbunu as their preferred deputy governorship candidate.
The position of the coordinators was contained in a-six-page letter addressed to the Governor-elect and signed by the Leader and Senatorial Coordinator, Dr. Yakubu Ugwalawo, as well as Hassan Haruna , Yahaya Menyaga and Prince Isah Abdullahi, all Zonal Coordinators and nine others who are local government coordinators.
In the letter, copies of which were sent to the National Chairman of the APC, the National Deputy Chairman (North Central Zone) of the Party, National Secretary, State Chairman of the APC, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment (who is from Kogi State) and all APC Senators from Kogi State, the Coordinators stated that the nomination of Mr. Egbunu was based on the fact that he is tested, matured, creative and dogged.
Mr Egbunu is an indigene of Ofu Local Government Area from Aloji ward and from the same zone as the late Audu.
The Coordinators, in the letter said, “The impasse, which characterized the issue of the deputy governorship candidate is a common knowledge and we wish to recommend a candidate for your consideration after due consultations with leaders and other stakeholders across the Senatorial District at various fora.
