Tribunal decision against Faleke a victory for democracy – Governor Yahaya Bello

The tribunal, today, June 6, dismissed an application filed by James Faleke, the running mate to former All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Abubakar Audu, seeking to unseat Bello.

Bello’s comments are contained in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Kingsley Fanwo.

It reads:

“Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has hailed the judgement of the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja, which in a unanimous decision today, upheld his victory at the poll.

“He said the decision of the Bench Lords has further justified his election as the Governor of Kogi State, saying the victory belongs to the people of Kogi State, our party APC and lovers of democracy across the nation.

“The Governor said the victory does not call for wild jubilation by his supporters, but offers a golden opportunity for his opponents to join the New Direction Initiative of his administration, which is built on the podiums of development, fairness, justice, freedom and shared prosperity from the confluence of opportunities which abound in the state.

“Governor Bello said he holds no grudge against any party, who had approached the temple of justice to seek redress, saying as a democrat, he will always respect the rights of the citizens. He said his administration is currently putting in place, tested and sustainable structures to revolutionize education, healthcare, agro-business, industrialization and conscious efforts at creating jobs for the teeming unemployed in the state.

“The Governor said his administration has already begun the modernization of the State Capital from the shambles of the past to a destination for tourism and infrastructural development, assuring the people of the state that they will be proud of his achievements.

“He denied being distracted by the litigation surrounding his emergence as Governor, saying he has delivered solid democracy dividends to the people in his first four months in office.

“He said his administration will continue to ensure development, ethnic integration and and security of lives and property, warning against criminality and corruption.

In his words:

“To those who wants to make Kogi a criminal hotspot, we will defeat you. My government will spare nothing at ensuring lives and properties are safe within our shores.”

“We have taken practical steps in this direction and our Local Government Administrators are also on the same page with us. This administration will not condone corruption. The New Direction is that of transparency and accountability.

“We won't spare any government official found wanting in our anti-corruption drive just as we would legally ensure that every dime stolen from our coffers in time past is recovered and used for infrastructural and social development. We are on the right path.”

“He thanked the people of the state for their prayers and solidarity, assuring them of his readiness to repay their trust and confidence in him.

“The Governor also urged the Muslims to use the Holy Month of Ramadan to pray for the development of the state and peaceful coexistence among the people.”

Bello was chosen by the APC to replace Audu following the latter’s sudden death on November 22, 2015, the day of the election.

The decision however didn’t go well with Faleke who believed that he had more claim to the governorship than Bello did.