Kogi State Governor-elect, Yahaya Bello says he would not join issues with James Faleke, the running-mate of late Abubakar Audu, over the Kogi governorship election crisis.
Faleke who was presented as the running mate to Bello by the All Progressives Congress (APC) had said he would not take oath of office as deputy governor following the declaration of Mr. Bello as governor-elect on Sunday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by Bello’s media assistant, Suleiman Abdulmalik, the governor-elect said dialogue remained the best solution to party issues and he has absolute confidence in the leadership of the party to end the disagreement. He described Mr. Faleke as a brother and said the political crisis happening in the state is a family affair.
“I will continue to appeal to him and others to join hands with me in moving Kogi State forward.
“In politics we agree and disagree but dialogue remains the only solution to issues, but what happens in my state is an act of God.
“Those who matter in Audu’s camp are already working for me even before the supplementary election, and that reconciliation efforts greatly helped in defeating the PDP,” he said.
The statement by Bello also advised Mr. Faleke to accept the outcome of the election as the will of God.
“All hands must be on deck and we must rally round the governor-elect, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. No winner, no vanquished; we must continue as one united family that we are.
“Hon James Abiodun Faleke and other aggrieved party members should accept the new development as the wish of God. We plead with them to cooperate with Bello to develop the state in line with the vision of our late icon, Prince Abubakar Audu.
“The governor-elect is a humble man who will not discriminate against anyone within the party. All Kogites should pray for and work towards peace, stability and progress of the state.
“We are using this opportunity to emphasise the need for the people to support their leaders for the benefit of all,” he said.
