The Director General on Media and Publicity to the Kogi State Governor, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo has called on Hon. James Faleke to promote ideals that will portray him as someone that is committed to peace and stability in the State rather than making inflammatory statements that could affect the peaceful coexistence among the people.
Fanwo made the charge while responding to a statement credited to Faleke to the effect that “reconciliation has been foreclosed” in Kogi State APC over his loss at the Supreme Court, saying the party is “bigger than Faleke’s ambitions”.
His words: “Immediately the Supreme Court delivered judgement in favour of Governor Yahaya Bello, the Governor called on all his opponents to join forces with him in moving the state forward. Those are words of a great leader. The elections are over, the litigations are over, so also should the hostilities.
“Governor Yahaya Bello is concentrating on developing Kogi State and should be allowed to do the job for which he was elected. He has nothing against any political leader as he is the father of the State. He is not thinking of politics right now, but the need to give people better roads, better schools, better healthcare, good water and give jobs to our youth and women.
“Kogi State APC had no problem before the 2015 general elections and that was why the party was formidable enough to win the support of the people. APC trounced PDP in the State in the Presidential, National Assembly and later, the governorship poll. To continue to wax stronger, we need unity. It is unfortunate for any leader to say he is not given to reconciliation and unity in the party.
“Those words have given Honourable Abiodun Faleke up as the man stoking crisis in the party. Even the Governor is subject to the party supremacy as it is unwise to destroy the ladder that has taken you to the rooftop.
“Governor Yahaya Bello will continue to pursue peace with all men, but not at the expense of his administration’s commitment to reposition the State and take it to enviable heights”.
The Governor’s spokesman said the present administration in the State will not tolerate any attempt at destabilizing the State, saying the Governor is well grounded to ensure the peace and security of all Kogites.
“Leaders owe the society a lot of responsibilities. Leaders must beware of statements that are capable of throwing the society into turmoil and followers of the late Prince Abubakar Audu must imbibe his spirit of love for Kogi State.
“The late Prince Abubakar Audu stood by the people after losing the 2003, 2007 and 2011 polls. He didn’t incite the people against the government just because he lost. Statesmanship is a class that no money can buy. To make such divisive statements on a day the legendary statesman was being remembered is unfortunate and unfair to the spirit of the late political icon. There are better ways to remember the late Prince Abubakar Audu”.
He said what is most important at this point is service to the people of the State who have had it rough since 2003, saying his administration will not disappoint the people.
Fanwo also reiterated the Governor’s belief in a virile, disciplined and united APC in the State, assuring all party faithful of the readiness of the Governor to make the party proud by performing fantastically as Governor of Kogi State.
