By Uche Amunike
Shortly after Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State issued a proclamation for the 8th Assembly, lawmaker representing Lokoja 11, Aliu Umar Yusuf, was made the new Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly.
The new Speaker was earlier nominated by Honorable Rin Ebama-Shehu, lawmaker representing Lokoja 1, State Constituency and was seconded by Honourable Suleiman Abdulrasaq, who represents Okene 1 State Constituency and subsequently voted in.
Lawmaker representing Dekina/Okura constituency, Rt Honourable Paul Enema, emerged Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, moving forward.
The nomination and election of both lawmakers into their exalted positions have since been accepted by them, while the Oath of Allegiance and membership have since been administered by the Clerk of the House, Alhaji Ahmed Sule-Chogudo.
Speaking, after administration of the Oath of allegiance, the new Speaker, Umar Yusuf, thanked God and his fellow lawmakers for allowing him the privilege to serve Kogi State in his capacity as Speaker.
He promised to work in synergy with other arms of government while championing the affairs of the legislative assembly in order to move Kogi State forward to greater heights.
The clerk, also spelt out the letter of proclamation by Governor Yahaya Bello, where Bello noted a relevant section of the 1999 constitution as amended on the day the 8th Assembly of Kogi State was inaugurated.
Meanwhile, stakeholders and former executive members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the Kabba/Bunu Council of Kogi state have officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
They were received by Governor Yahaya Bello Monday, at the Banquet Hall of the governor’s office.
Speaking, during his welcome address, Governor Bello emphasized that the APC provides equal opportunities for both the new and old members and encouraged opposition politicians to join the party in order to contribute to his administration’s efforts, so that the Kogi citizenry will have better life.
He encouraged the people of Kogi State not to unite only for political participation, but also, to bring about stronger bonds that would attract development to the state socially and economically. He reiterated that a state which was united politically would benefit a lot under the current administration, both at the state and federal levels.
On the part of the defectors, former member of the state Assembly and immediate past treasurer of the PDP in Council, Alfred Bello, noted the Governor’s exceptional infrastructural development and great leadership which was known for its inclusiveness, justice, equity and fairness as their reasons for their defection to the ruling APC.
He commended the governor for giving room for a state owned university in Okunland, adding that access to tertiary education has been lacking for Okun people in the past administrations. He was of the fact that establishing the university showed how much Governor Bello believed in a unified state and how much it demonstrated his commitment to justice, fairness and equity.
The former PDP stakeholder promised Governor Bello that he and his fellow members, as well as other individuals would do all in their power to see that APC succeeds in the forthcoming governorship election in Kogi State.
