The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has reinstated five cabinet members who resigned to contest for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. This decision was announced by the Secretary to the State Government, Ayoade Folashade.
According to reports, on April 15, the APC conducted its governorship primaries in the state and former Auditor-General for Local Government, Usman Ododo emerged as the flagbearer of APC in the State. Mr. Ododo defeated six other contestants who were top government officials who resigned their appointments for the contest.
The reinstated cabinet members were subjected to an inquiry by the state assembly and were cleared of any wrongdoing. They include Jibrin Momoh, former Accountant General; Jamiu Abdulkarim-Asuku, former Chief of Staff to the Governor; Yakubu Okala, former Auditor-General; Idris Asiru, former Commissioner for Finance; and Momodu Ozigi-Deedat, former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
In the statement released by the Secretary to the State Government, she said: “The office of the Governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello, has officially announced the immediate reinstatement of five key officials in the state. We trust that the reinstatement of these officials will further enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the state government in delivering its mandate to the people of Kogi.”
This move could potentially strengthen the ruling APC in the state as they prepare for the upcoming gubernatorial election. The APC hopes to retain power in the state with Yahaya Bello running for a second term in office.
