Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja

The running mate to the  late Abubakar Audu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 21, 2015 election, James Faleke has lost his bid to unseat Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state.
Delivering judgement on Monday, the tribunal held that Faleke could not be declared governor because he did not participate in the APC primary.

 

Meanwhile, there was wild jubilation across Kogi State over the victory of Governor Yahaya Bello at the Election Petition Tribunal which sat in Abuja.

In Lokoja, the state capital there was motorcade of the governor’s supporters who went round major streets in the state capital chanting victory songs.

Also in Ebira land in the central senatorial district of the state which is the birth place of the governor, thousands of supporters and kinsmen trooped into the streets with drums celebrating the victory.

Fielding questions from news men the obviously excited Governor, described the victory at the Tribunal as divine and a victory for democracy and people of the state.

He said he was not Surprised by the victory because according to him, whatever God has destined, no man can pull apart saying the victory was significant as it came on the first day of Ramadan (muslims period of fasting).

While pouring praises on God for the victory, he called on Hon James Faleke and all other members of All Progressive Congress to join him in moving the state forward even as he reiterates his pledge not to fail the people of the state.

On why most of his political appointees are people in their youthful ages, he said that was how it pleases God, saying ” the common saying is that youths are future leaders, but it pleases God to make us as leaders of today”.