Posted by By EMMANUEL ADEYEMI. Lokoja on
On his return to Lokoja, Thursday, ousted governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, handed over the reins of government to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Clarence Olafemi.
On his return to Lokoja, Thursday, ousted governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, handed over the reins of government to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Clarence Olafemi.
The handing over ceremony took place at the Government House at about 4.32 p.m, more than 24 hours after the Court of Appeal upheld the nullification of the April 14, 2007 governorship polls, which brought Idris into office.
Idris, who was welcomed back to the state capital like a hero despite his loss, told his supporters after the handing over that he respected the rule of law and therefore had no problem with the court verdict.
While he said he believes in destiny, the ex-governor expressed confidence that as the people voted for him in 2007, they would do same again whenever a fresh election is conducted.
The former governor urged his supporters not to foment trouble, saying his legacies in the state would speak for him and that he harboured no ill-feeling towards anyone.
The acting governor, Olafemi, who showed solidarity to the ousted governor equally expressed confidence that the 21 Local Government Areas in the state would give him 99 per cent of the votes and that the people were behind him.
Olafemi, however, called on the people to remain law abiding, promising to carry everyone along during his reign.
He also expressed optimism that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would be victorious in the coming election.