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Forty-year old businessman-turned-politician, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on Wednesday made history by being inaugurated in Kogi State as the youngest governor in the country.
He succeeds Capt. Idris Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who failed in his bid to return to the Government House in Lokoja for second term.
The oath of office was at exactly 11:59am on Wednesday administered on Bello by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Nasir Ajanah.
This was as the Deputy Governor-elect, Mr. James Faleke, absented himself from the occasion making good his earlier threat not to attend.
In his inaugural speech, the newly inaugurated governor broke down in tears recalling the sacrifices made by his mother in raising him. He then expressed gratitude to God and all those who aided him on his journey to become governor.
“I stand here today, a grateful man; I am to the Almighty God the eternal one, who led a young boy, fatherless, to this very day of my swearing in as governor,” he said.
Bello, who thanked his late father who died while he was very young for leaving a positive legacy, was overcome with emotions when it came to his mother, Hajiya Hauwa Bello.
Struggling to hold back tears and keep his voice steady he said, “Despite the anguish of young widowhood, your values steadied me through the turbulence of youth and my years of self-discovery.”
The governor also praised the late Abubakar Audu for his contributions to the development of the state and the party and promised to lead efforts to immortalise the late politician, whose death gave him the opportunity to become governor.
Audu’s running mate who Bello inherited, Faleke had earlier on Wednesday described the inauguration of Bello as “a rape of democracy,” alleging that there were plans to “announce my name for oath taking at least three times after which they would declare that the deputy governor-elect has absconded”.
Before taking the oath, Bello had said he would not force Faleke to be his deputy since there were other options. “It’s not compulsory and I cannot force anyone to deputise me, if he doesn’t deputise me, there are options,” he had told Channels Television.
The colourful inauguration ceremony, which was took place at the 25,000 capacity Confluence Stadium, attracted thousands of residents including the chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC, led by the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. Two ministers, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu of the Ministry of Communications and Mr. James Ocholi, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, were also at the venue.
Other eminent personalities at the event include: the Governors of Nasarawa and Benue states; Tanko Al-Makura and Samuel Ortom respectively. The Senate President, Bukola Saraki was represented by Senator Kabir Gaya. The inauguration was also attended by former governor of Kano and the senator representing Kogi east,Senator Dino Melaye.
Source: THE WILL