Posted by From LUCKY NWANKWERE, Abuja on
Following Wednesday's ruling by the Court of Appeal, upholding the nullification of the election of Kogi State governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, President Umaru Yar'Adua has directed the chief judge of Kogi State, Justice Umaru Eri, to swear in the Speaker of the State House of Assembly as the acting governor.
Following Wednesday's ruling by the Court of Appeal, upholding the nullification of the election of Kogi State governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, President Umaru Yar'Adua has directed the chief judge of Kogi State, Justice Umaru Eri, to swear in the Speaker of the State House of Assembly as the acting governor.
Presidential spokesman, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, who made this known in Abuja, when he addressed State House correspondents on the development, said all security agencies had, in addition, been placed on alert to ensure there was no break down of law and order in the aftermath of the verdict.
The president's directive, he also said, was in accordance with Section 191 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria requiring that in the event of such a vacancy, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly will hold office until a governor is properly elected within 90 days.
The president's directive came as the dethroned governor was said to have told his commissioners and aides in Abuja, shortly after the ruling, to return to their duty posts in Lokoja, the state capital, where he said they remained in charge.
According to Adeniyi, President Yar'Adua had immediately, after the ruling, invited the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mike Aondoakaa, to throw more light on the constitutional provision in respect of the matter.
He said there would always be need to clarify such issues, which should, ordinarily, not be until the issue of rule of law has permeated the society.
'He (Yar'Adua) advises all those adversely affected by the judgment to accept it in good faith as a necessary aspect of the evolution of true democracy in our country," Adeniyi added.