Deputy Governor-elect Snubs Swearing-in of Bello, Alleges Plans To Declare Him ‘Absconded’

James Abiodun Faleke, deputy governor-elect of Kogi state is sticking to his decision to shun today’s swearing-in of the governor-elect, Yahaya Bello, even though plans are afoot to announce him as the deputy governor.

In a statement today, Faleke described the plan to announce him as the deputy governor as mischievous.

The ceremony today will be the first in Nigeria, where a governor will take the oath without his deputy, just like Audu’s death was the first by a governorship candidate before the conclusion of an election.

He had written to INEC before the supplementary election held in December that he was not on the Yahaya Bello ticket as he believed the 21 November election had already been concluded, contrary to the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

His case is already before the Election Tribunal.

“The plan at the inauguration of the supplementary Governor today at the Stadium in Lokoja will be to first call my name several times and after which it will be seen as if I declined and the judge will then move on to call Yahaya Bello for inauguration”, Faleke tweeted early today.

“Let it be known that I was never the running mate to Yahaya Bello and INEC had accepted the fact in its reply to my petition. I urge all our supporters to remain calm as justice will prevail. God is the greatest and He gives power and take it at anytime.”

“What is happening in Kogi State is a rape on our democracy and I want the international community to take note”, Faleke added.

The All Progressives Congress said it was ready with contingency plans to resolve the Faleke issue and part of the plan may be to pretend that Faleke is still the deputy governor-elect and declare him as such at the ceremony in Lokoja today.