Commissioner for Information and Communication. In this telephone interview with TEMIDAYO AKINSUYI, he speaks on the Supreme Court judgment validating the victory of Governor Yahaya Bello and other issues. Excerpts:
The Supreme Court has affirmed the victory of the Governor Yahaya Bello as winner of the November 19 Kogi governorship election. What is your reaction to that?
It is a thing of joy and a confirmation of the fact that the Governor won the election. Today’s judgement is not just about the Governor, but the people who thronged out to give him a second term mandate. The major towns and even villages in Kogi State have since erupted in jubilation. It is their mandate that has been protected.
How is the Governor taking it?
He is going to be speaking with the Press shortly. He is happy that his victory has been rightly justified and he will also work with all Kogites to do more for Kogi State.
Was the administration distracted in the course of pursuing the cases from the Lower Tribunal to the Supreme Court?
The administration was focused on the issues of governance and left the court cases to our legal team to deal with. He was elected to govern, to provide leadership, especially in this tough economic situation. He has been completely given to that task. He wasn’t distracted.
There were allegations of harassment of some opposition figures before the judgment. Was it a sign of panic?
I am not aware of any harassment. The Supreme Court is made up of eminent jurists who can’t be swayed by propaganda. We had no reason to neither panic nor harass anyone.
Now that the Governor has scaled all legal hurdles, what should the people of Kogi expect?
He will continue his good work for the people of Kogi State. He is placing a lot of emphasis on education, agriculture, healthcare and economic stimulus for the revival of our economy in the face of the COVID-19 economic casualties. We must support homes to survive this period and farmers to optimize productivity in order to drag down the skyrocketing cost of food. In all of this, education is key and important. Our healthcare too is receiving the desired attention. Government is also rolling out plans to support Small and Medium Scale Enterprises.
How will the Governor reintegrate the state after the division caused by the politics of 2019 and the legal battles?
He is used to this route. His emergence was challenged up to the Supreme Court in 2016. He is capable of working with anyone who has the genuine interest of the Kogi people. He is Governor of all, regardless of political parties. His election showed the unity he has promoted since becoming the Governor and leader of our dear State. He will be open to working with all Kogites.
Do you think e-voting will eliminate distraction occasioned by court cases?
We need to re-engineer the attitude of politicians. Those who win must be magnanimous and those who lose must accept their defeat. But court cases are not bad. It helps strengthen our electoral laws and practice. E-voting can sure eliminate some complaints. But some politicians will still go to court even with e-voting. It is an attitudinal question.
What is your message to the Kogi people?
We are one indivisible people under the leadership of His Excellency Alh. Yahaya Bello. Let us rally round him to succeed. When he succeeds, Kogi succeeds and all of us succeed. Let us continue to work together to take Kogi to the next level of development. The Governor is committed to his promises. He will do more
DAILY INDEPENDENT