The Governor-elect of Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, today,
December 6, granted his first interview as an elected public official
to journalists in his mansion in Lokoja, the state capital.
Popularly called ‘Fair Plus’ by his admirers, Bello was dressed in an all white ensemble in the traditional garb popularly called ‘agbada’ spoke to newsmen before heading to his hometown of Okene, to celebrate his victory with his people.
Naij.com reporter was among the selected journalists who spoke to Bello earlier today. Read below:
What is your reaction to the results declared by INEC today which pronounced you the winner of the governorship election?
Thank you very much. My reaction to the results are nothing short of jubilation even though modestly, because of the loss of our great leader, late Prince Abubakar Audu. May his soul rest in peace.
You do know that there are controversial circumstances surrounding your emergence as the All Progressives Congress candidate. What is the way forward to address some of these issues?
I have to embark on a quick reconcilitary move towards the immediate family and the political family of the late great leader of our party, and other leaders of our party and even outside our party by reaching out to them.
What do you say to those who say you are the governor-elect of a supplementary election?
I am a party man and all election votes cast is for the party, and the party has chosen me to fly its flag. So I cannot be said to be a governor of a supplementary election.
Now that you have been elected. What is the way forward for Kogi state?
We have a blueprint in line with the party manisfesto to put the state on developmental map and making sure that there is justice, fairness and equity in the distribution of resources across the state.
What is the status of Honourable James Faleke as far as your mandate is concerned?
The former candidate of the party died. INEC requested the party to substitute, and I was chosen to fill the gap. The space of the running mate was never vacant, so if I am chosen to run on that platform, I don’t think I have any choice. And so if I respond run on that platform, I don’t think I have any choice but to respect the decision of the party.
It is obvious that when you are sworn-in, many of your opponents will head to the tribunal. How do you hope to cope with this distraction?
Litigation after election is normal in our political system. I don’t think there will be so much litigation as the issues are within the party and the party is going to handle it well.
What do you have to say to people who alleged that you worked against the party when the late Prince Audu emerged as the party’s candidate?
I never worked against the party. It is a party I laboured for. It is a party I spent fortune on. It is a party I spent a lot of time building.
Did you ever expect to be governor?
Well, after the death of our great leader, it is just normal for you to return back to the party and pick the runner-up. At the same time, I am happy with the choice of the party.
SOURCE: NAIJ.COM
Naij.com reporter was among the selected journalists who spoke to Bello earlier today. Read below:
What is your reaction to the results declared by INEC today which pronounced you the winner of the governorship election?
Thank you very much. My reaction to the results are nothing short of jubilation even though modestly, because of the loss of our great leader, late Prince Abubakar Audu. May his soul rest in peace.
You do know that there are controversial circumstances surrounding your emergence as the All Progressives Congress candidate. What is the way forward to address some of these issues?
I have to embark on a quick reconcilitary move towards the immediate family and the political family of the late great leader of our party, and other leaders of our party and even outside our party by reaching out to them.
What do you say to those who say you are the governor-elect of a supplementary election?
I am a party man and all election votes cast is for the party, and the party has chosen me to fly its flag. So I cannot be said to be a governor of a supplementary election.
Now that you have been elected. What is the way forward for Kogi state?
We have a blueprint in line with the party manisfesto to put the state on developmental map and making sure that there is justice, fairness and equity in the distribution of resources across the state.
What is the status of Honourable James Faleke as far as your mandate is concerned?
The former candidate of the party died. INEC requested the party to substitute, and I was chosen to fill the gap. The space of the running mate was never vacant, so if I am chosen to run on that platform, I don’t think I have any choice. And so if I respond run on that platform, I don’t think I have any choice but to respect the decision of the party.
It is obvious that when you are sworn-in, many of your opponents will head to the tribunal. How do you hope to cope with this distraction?
Litigation after election is normal in our political system. I don’t think there will be so much litigation as the issues are within the party and the party is going to handle it well.
What do you have to say to people who alleged that you worked against the party when the late Prince Audu emerged as the party’s candidate?
I never worked against the party. It is a party I laboured for. It is a party I spent fortune on. It is a party I spent a lot of time building.
Did you ever expect to be governor?
Well, after the death of our great leader, it is just normal for you to return back to the party and pick the runner-up. At the same time, I am happy with the choice of the party.
SOURCE: NAIJ.COM
Title : Kogi Polls: Yahaya Bello Speaks On Faleke, Says The Space For Running Mate Was Never Vacant
Description : The Governor-elect of Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, today, December 6, granted his first interview as an elected public official to jo...
Description : The Governor-elect of Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, today, December 6, granted his first interview as an elected public official to jo...
