Alhaji Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress and winner of the Kogi governorship election was Wednesday morning sworn in as the executive governor of the state amid tears of mixed feelings.
Bello who emerged victorious after a run-off was conducted following the death of Prince Abubakar who was earlier picked as the party’s flagbearer in an inconclusive election, took his oath of office at the Lokoja New stadium.
In his speech immediately after he inspected the guard of Honour in a motorcade, Bello who was sworn in by Justice Nasir Ajana, Chief Justice of Kogi State, wept.
He recalled that he did not grow up to know his father, having lost him at very early stage. Eulogising his mother as a young widow, he noted: “Hajia Hawawu Bello struggled to raise me up as a young widow (weeps).
The governor also pledged to be fair and honest in all his dealings in matters of the state, while maintaining that Kogi people should take him as their own governor whose plans are for the good of the state.
“I will be fair to all Kogites and I belong to everybody and belong to nobody,” he Said
He revealed that he had already developed an economic blueprint for the state which his administration would implement almost immediately, while also calling for support of everybody in the best interest of the State.
He lamented the non-payment of workers salaries and endemic corruption in the state’s civil service, reiterating that his administration will commence payment of workers salaries as soon as possible.
In his words: My administration has zero tolerance for corruption and it remains so and I think Kogites should be guided in this direction,” he noted.
“I understand that workers in the state have not been paid for 4 months at the state and over a year for local governments. We will start payment as soon as possible,” he said.
Bello commended the late Prince Abubakar Audu, maintaining that his administration would immortalize him for his good work as a politician.
“I want to commend the late politician, Prince Abubakar Audu. My administration will immortalize him for the good work he did when he governed the state,” he said.
On his part, Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura commended the people of Kogi State for the choice of the All Progressives Congress which brought Yahaya Bello to power.
He urged Kogites to Accord Bello the needed support that would make him succeed.
“Kogi people have done well to have voted the All Progressives Congress and having done that, I urge them to support Bello to enable him deliver,” Al-Makura maintained.
Meanwhile, the governor of Benue State, Mr Samuel Ortom charged the governor to be focused and committed, noting that history awaits him.
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