21st September, 2016
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has congratulated Kogi Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on his victory at the Supreme Court on Tuesday.
In a statement released to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, the chairman called on the party and its members to close ranks and unite.
“Going forward, I call on all party leaders, stakeholders and teeming members of our great party to put aside any differences and unite as a strong political force in support of the administration of Gov. Yahaya Bello.
“I also call on the governor to reach out to all aggrieved political stakeholders and mend fences.
“Only then can the administration successfully achieve its plans to build a strong foundation for the growth, development and prosperity of the good people of Kogi state,” Odigie-Oyegun said in the statement.
Bello was picked by APC as its candidate for the conclusion of the governorship election in Kogi in November 2015.
He was substituted for the party’s flag bearer in the contest, Alhaji Abubakar Audu, who suddenly died on Nov. 22 shortly before the poll was declared inconclusive by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
After his selection and regularisation with INEC, running mate to late Audu, Mr James Faleke, declined to run with Bello and challenged his candidacy in the court.
After the conclusion of the election, which was won by Bello, his opponent of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Idris Wada, challenged the result at the tribunal.
Bello won at the tribunal, at the Court of Appeal and at the Supreme Court on Tuesday.