The leadership and board of trustee of Policy Advocacy and Integrity Network Nigeria (PAINNigeria) has joined other Nigerians to congratulate Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on his unprecedented emergence as Kogi State Governor-elect.
In a press statement signed by the Executive Director, Engr. Joshua F. Mesele and the secretary of the group, Victor Funsho, prayed that God will bless the governor-elect with unique wisdom in the management of Kogi affairs.
PAINNigeria, a registered Civil Society Organization whose mandate covers democracy and good governance, frowned at the conduct of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the unfortunate drama that trailed the governorship election.
According to the statement, “following our close observation of the Kogi gubernatorial election, viz-a-viz the poor outing of the electoral umpire INEC at the stage of collation and declaration of result, we wish to categorical call for calm on the part of all parties that need justice to be done in the state.
“We are optimistic, the Kogi election that was wrongly declared inconclusive at a time when the leading candidate had fulfilled the requirement of both the Electoral Act and the constitution to be declared elected will be tested via the appropriate organs of government i.e Judiciary and the true representative of the November 21 electoral mandate of the people determined and returned elected.
“We therefore call on the good people of Kogi state across all ethnic divides to exercise restraint while legal determination goes on trial.
“We equally enjoin the governor-elect Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the running mate of late Audu, Rt. Hon. James Abiodun Faleke to continue to exercise maturity, understanding and wisdom while the rule of law is put to test just as we don’t expect less from supporters across the state.
“Power belongs to God and the real true power from God will certainly pass the test of human rules and norms at the Supreme court.
“We will be quick to blame INEC/APC in the event that their decision to field Alhaji Yahaya Bello fails the test of rule of law.
“The people of Kogi will continue to regret the needless crisis INEC and APC as party almost put Kogi as a function of their decisions but we are grateful to God Alhaji Yahaya Bello will put in-place a leadership that is enduring and capable of surmounting the great challenge in our controversial but very blessed state of Kogi.
To this end, we call on the political cabal in Kogi state to embrace peace and play their elderly role in moving the state forward.
PAINNigeria prayed that God will bless the Prince Abubarkar Audu/Faleke support team, as he endowed Rt. Hon. Faleke with the needed wisdom in the re-affirmation of that mandate.
