Mrs Folashade Arike Ayoade is set to be replaced as the Secretary to the Kogi State Government (SSG).
According to a government house source on Monday, the SSG needs to vacate her position following the re-election of Prince Mathew Kolawole as the 13th speaker of the State Assembly.
Daily Post gathered that Kolawole, who is from Kabba Bunu and the SSG (Yagba East), are from the same region hence the need for another part of the state to occupy that position.
The source further confirmed that the SSG will be replaced by a former APC aspirant for Lokoja/Koton Federal Constituency, Alhaji Seidu Akawu Salihu.
“The State exco is still deliberating on who will replace the SSG. But from all indication, she will be removed. From the look of things, she will be compensated with the position of a Senior Special Assistant to the governor.
“The SSG has tried for this government and also this government has done well for her by appointing her into this juicy position. I believe when the governor returns back to the State, it will be officially communicated to the public,” the source hinted.
Just last week, some party faithful from Lokoja/Kogi/Koton Karfe have allegedly accused the Gov. Bello-led APC government of neglecting their people in the appointment of people into juicy offices in his cabinet.
The President of Lokoja/Kogi advocacy for good governance, Comrade Ibrahim Haruna, in an interview with newsmen last week, said that the exclusion of a section of the state in governance is the “mother of all corruption”.
Haruna said that all well meaning Kogites, especially the people of Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency, irrespective of their ethnic and other considerations, have been supportive of the APC administration, but wondered why the party leadership are neglecting a people whose votes brought them to power.
“But the truth is that corruption stares us in the face on a daily basis, especially with regards to exclusion and disregard to the plights of our people in a matter they are supposed to be key players. I don’t want to talk much, but that is my position. What we are seeing now is the mother of all battle against our people,” he declared.
Also, the Chairman of Youths Action Congress, Mr Denja Niyi, said that the Governor’s actions are fuelling more agitations. He insisted that the exclusion of these regions from the mainstream of Governor Yahaya Bello’s government has created an opportunity for them to vote for an aspirant that will cater for the well-being of their people.
Denja appealed to Governor Bello to spread his appointments across the two constituencies, adding that his alleged lopsided appointments are not helping his people and the party.
According to him, “I still wonder why an Okun man would be made the Speaker and same Okuns still have commissioners and SSG in a zone that consist of seven Local Government Areas.”
Credit: Daily Post
