TheCable

Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state, says he is on a divine assignment in the state.

Bello, who lost the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to Abubakar Audu, was chosen as the candidate of the APC for the supplementary election which held after the death of Audu.

Despite the stiff opposition from different quarters, he was sworn into office on January 27.

Speaking in Lokoja, capital of the state, on Thursday when he received a delegation of the house of representatives’, which is in the state to intervene in the crisis rocking the state house of assembly, Bello said he remained committed to peace.

“I welcome all of us here today and I thank God for the journey,” he said.

“The subject matter that brought us all together here today is the seeming crisis that exists in the house of assembly; it is important that the house takes proactive measures this way.

“It is a welcome idea and I am pleased that you are taking this step in making sure that there is amicable resolution at the end of the day.

“We are on a divine assignment to ensure that our state is lifted from the opposition of quagmire and taken to the next enviable height.

“I didn’t come into this position to manage crisis or create any; I am open to everybody and so far so good, I have demonstrated that I am ready to work with all.

“As long as it is going to be in the best interest of Kogi, so that at the end of our tenure, we will quit the state better than we met it.

“Before God elevated me to this position, I choose the part of righteousness and to always say the truth however bitter it is; I will always do that.

“I have never deceived and will never deceive. At the end of the day, I am very confident that you will know the truth from this moment on.”

Earlier, Pally Iriase, leader of the delegation, said the team was in the state on a fact finding mission.

“In our profession as politicians, rumours develop and in the process things that could easily be resolved in a round table can blow out of proportion like we least expected,” he said.

“It is proper that when you receive any allegation and in line with the constitution, you find out precisely what the true situation is.

“That is why we decided not to sit anywhere else but to come to Kogi so that we can get the facts as they are, about the crisis that is rocking the house of assembly.

“We hope to put our report together after we have interacted with all the stakeholders beginning from you, because you are the most important stakeholder in the state.”

Iriase said the state could only develop in an atmosphere of peace, adding that the delegation was there to contribute its quota.

“I know your idea about Kogi is to develop it as fast as you can, but this can only be possible in an atmosphere of peace,” he said.

“We are only coming to contribute our quota for peace to reign so that your people can have a feel of good governance.”

The lawmakers later went into an exclusive meeting with the governor.

On February 16, five members of the assembly removed Momoh-Jimoh Lawal as speaker.