Mr Simon Achuba has been sworn in as Kogi State deputy governor. This followed the confirmation of his nomination by Governor Yahaya Bello.
Achuba was confirmed for the position by the Kogi State House of Assembly as a replacement for the embattled James Faleke, the running mate of late Prince Abubakar Audu, who is now in the courts seeking to be declared governor.
There was mild drama at the Kogi Government House, as journalists were prevented by overzealous security personnel from gaining access into the venue of the swearing-in.
The security men claimed they were acting on instructions from above.
Several efforts by the Chairman of NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, Malam Ademu Idakwo, to make the security men see the need to allow newsmen in to do their official duties were rebuffed.
The journalists were forced to leave the venue even as the media aides to the governor were not available to rescue the stranded journalists.
Earlier, the state assembly had screened and approved the nomination Achuba as deputy to governor, following a communication sent to the House by the governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, and read to the House members by the Speaker, Alhaji Momoh-Jimoh Lawal.
He stated that the governor hinged the request on Section 191 (3) (c) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and in the bid not to allow a vacuum to be created.
Our correspondent reports that Achuba was asked to take a bow and go, when he submitted himself before the House.
Achuba, born on July 13, 1964, was a member of the Assembly between 1999 and 2007 and deputy speaker of the Kogi House of Assembly between 2003 and 2007.
Meanwhile, the House has also approved a list of 21 nominees for appointment as special advisers to the governor.
Lawal said the request was contained in a separate letter sent to the House by the governor.
