10-day diary of Governor Wada
Matters went into a frenzy in the otherwise calm and orderly state on Friday January 27, 2012. In the early hours of that day, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, governor of the state, had just settled in his office when news filtered-in that the Supreme Court had terminated his tenure and four others as governors. The Supreme […]
Matters went into a frenzy in the otherwise calm and orderly state on Friday January 27, 2012. In the early hours of that day, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, governor of the state, had just settled in his office when news filtered-in that the Supreme Court had terminated his tenure and four others as governors. The Supreme Court ruled that a governor is elected for a four year tenure and that the constitution does not envisage an extension of this under any circumstance.
However, the judgment did not make a consequential order on who should then be sworn-in as governor in the affected states. Then, the manoeuvres that climaxed in the swearing in of two persons into the office of the governor of Kogi State began. First to take oath of office and oath of allegiance as governor was Idris Ichalla Wada, a retired pilot and winner of the December 3, 2011 governorship poll, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. His running mate, Arch. Abayomi Awoniyi, was also administered the oath as Deputy Governor. The oaths were administered by President the Kogi State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Atadoga, in line with section 185 (2) of the 1999 constitution.
Not a few people witnessed the solemn ceremony in the banquet hall of the governor’s office. They included among others, outgoing Governor Ibrahim Idris, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Bello; Secretary to Kogi State Government, Alhaji Musa Ibrahim Ahmadu, former Chief of Staff in the Presidency, Olushola Akanmode and members of the State Assembly. That was about 2.30 pm. All the men congratulated the new governor and his deputy.
No sooner did Wada and Awoniyi take the oaths than a new twist came into the matter. A directive from Abuja suggested the men were sworn in error and directed that the Speaker should be sworn in as Acting Governor. Kogi was set as an epicentre of a constitutional crisis. All well meaning stakeholders worked the phones and pulled the strings to avert the looming impasse. But it was bound to be. By about 6.30pm, about four hours after the Wada /Awoniyi oath, another was administered. This time under security cover in the office of Justice Nasiru Ajana, Chief Judge of the state on Speaker, Hon. Bello as Acting Governor. Darkness fell on the state as Bello with a loud siren, returned to the Speaker’s Lodge, his official residence on Mount Patti Road. The Wada/Awoniyi camp retreated and proceeded to Abuja, seat of the Federal Capital. End of day one.
The following Saturday was set aside for environmental sanitation in the state. While Wada and his group remained completely out of public glare, Acting Governor Bello defied the restriction of movement on sanitation day for a trip to Okene, his ancestral home. There, he paid homage to Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, Ohinoyi of Ebiraland and attended a function in the family house of Justice Ajana. He was gradually emerging a rallying point of some hangers on. Day two ends.
On Sunday 29th, the acting governor played host to some of his fellow legislators at the speaker’s lodge. After a sumptuous breakfast, he embarked on a guided visit to Snow, the official residence of the Governor in Lugard House. The shape of his government was unfolding. But in the mean time, he got an invitation to Aso Rock for a meeting of stakeholders on how to achieve accelerated and peaceful resolution of the logjam.
And to Abuja he proceeded. The meeting in Aso Rock reportedly had Vice President Namadi Sambo, Justice Minister, Bello Adoke, PDP Acting National Chairman, Kawu Baraje, former Governor Idris, Speaker Bello, Captain Wada, his running mate, Arch Awoniyi and Akanmode among others. The matter was resolved on the alter of politics in favour of justice and equity- Captain Wada remains the authentic governor of Kogi State and should be treated as such. The third day ends.
For indigenes and residents of Kogi State, Monday January 30, started with an air of uncertainty. First the ever virile rumour mill in the state was activated restoring hope that the popularly elected governor and his deputy will resume properly in Lugard House by 10.00am. However, an 8.o’clock announcement on the State Radio by the Speaker muted the eloquence of the rumour industry. Reportedly signed by Bello, the announcement asserted that the Speaker remained the Acting Governor and proceeded to sack the SSG, COS, Commissioners and all political appointees. The men were advised to handover to the most senior civil servants in their departments. Again, the people relapsed into confusion and watched in bated breath.
At about 11.30 am, Captain Wada and Arch Awoniyi with full compliments of security operatives entered Lokoja in grand style. And like men determined to succeed, they hit, the ground running. The governor directed all political appointees to remain in their offices for the time being. He immediately convened a meeting of the Security Council attended by the Commander, Command Army Records; Commissioner of Police, State Director of the SSS; Sector Commander FRSC and others. In the meantime, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, made a pronouncement in Abuja, confirming Wada governor.
Next, the governor conveyed the State Executive Council meeting. He followed up with a maiden statewide broadcast. The governor in his review of events of the previous days, said every single step he and his team took was guided by the full consciousness that the conflict was not personal. He indicated that he would hold meetings with the lawmakers later in the day. End of day four.
Governor Wada was on his desk on Tuesday morning. The first caller on him that day was Justice Nasir Ajana, Chief Judge of the state. Ajana led top echelons of the state judiciary made up of Justice Ibrahim Shuaibu Atadoga of the Customary Court of Appeal and the Grand Khadi, Justice Sulaiman Olorunfemi. The meeting held behind closed doors, but they were said to have had fruitful discussions on how to move the state forward.
On Wednesday, February 1, Governor Wada paid an unscheduled visit to Kogi State University, KSU, Anyigba. On return to Lokoja, he inaugurated a 21-man think-tank on the development of Kogi State. Professor Francis Idachaba and Engr. Joseph Makoju are to serve as Chairman and Vice Chairman of the committee respectively. The governor later travelled for a meeting to Abuja. Day six ends.
By 9am, Thursday, Captain Wada was back in Lugard House. He joined members of the think tank in their deliberations. At 3.00pm he excused himself for a function with members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists NUJ, Kogi State council. The governor went for prayers at about 6.30pm and returned to office before closing for the day at about 8pm. End of day seven.
Friday February 3, governor Wada embarked on an unscheduled tour of facilities and offices in the Government House.
Inspections concluded, Governor Wada played host to candidate of the Justice Party, JP, in the December 3 2011 governorship election, Aisha Audu. The former first lady pledged her support for the new government. At the end of the visit, the governor went back to the think tank meeting, remaining there till about midnight, when he closed for the day. Day eight ends.
As usual, members of the think tank converged in Exco Hall for deliberations. Interim reports were compiled and submitted to the governor. After receiving the reports, he travelled to Abuja. End of day nine.
On day ten, the governor was still in Abuja attending to urgent state matters.
Elesho is Director General Press Affairs/Chief Press Secretary, Government House, Lokoja