Achuba now Kogi Deputy Governor
…As Gov bars journalists from inauguration
By Boluwaji Obahopo
LOKOJA—Following his screening and confirmation by the Kogi State House of Assembly, Simon Achuba, has been sworn in as the Deputy Governor of the state. This came as armed security men attached to the government house in Lokoja, prevented journalists from covering the inauguration of the Deputy Governor, claiming Governor Yahaya Bello gave instruction that journalists should not be allowed into the venue of the inauguration because it was not a public function. Achuba-Bello The new deputy governor is from Ibaji Local Government area of Kogi East senatorial district. Achuba’s confirmation followed Governor Bello’s letter to the Assembly seeking the confirmation of Achuba as his deputy. While screening Achuba, the House without asking him a single question, quickly confirmed him by asking him to ‘take a bow and go.’ The house also approved Bello’s request for 21 Special Assistants. Achuba, 52, a two-term House of Assembly member between 1999 and 2007, was a former Deputy Speaker in his second term. Achuba was later sworn in at the banquet hall of the government House in Lokoja. Speaking with journalists after his confirmation, Achuba said he would use his political experience to collaborate with the governor in building a virile state and development to all the sectors of the state. Governor bars journalists Meanwhile, journalists in the state yesterday received the shock of their lives as armed security men attached to the government house prevented them from covering the inauguration of the Deputy Governor. The journalists, mostly from the print media who were rushing from the State House of Assembly where the deputy governor was screened, could not gain access to the venue of the inauguration due to the refusal of the security men. The security personnel who claimed they were instructed by the Governor not to allow them in because the inauguration was a private function, warned the journalists not to come in. This practice seems to be in vogue since the inception of Bello’s administration in the state, as journalists have been barred on many occasions from carrying out their legitimate duties involving the governor. One of the security men while exchanging arguments with journalists said: “If the programme was meant for coverage, it would have been held at the Township Stadium.” Efforts by the Chairman of Correspondents’ Chapel, Mallam Ademu Idakwo, to explain to the security men were rebuffed as they threatened to shot if journalists did not leave the premises.
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/02/achuba-now-kogi-deputy-governor/
By Boluwaji Obahopo
LOKOJA—Following his screening and confirmation by the Kogi State House of Assembly, Simon Achuba, has been sworn in as the Deputy Governor of the state. This came as armed security men attached to the government house in Lokoja, prevented journalists from covering the inauguration of the Deputy Governor, claiming Governor Yahaya Bello gave instruction that journalists should not be allowed into the venue of the inauguration because it was not a public function. Achuba-Bello The new deputy governor is from Ibaji Local Government area of Kogi East senatorial district. Achuba’s confirmation followed Governor Bello’s letter to the Assembly seeking the confirmation of Achuba as his deputy. While screening Achuba, the House without asking him a single question, quickly confirmed him by asking him to ‘take a bow and go.’ The house also approved Bello’s request for 21 Special Assistants. Achuba, 52, a two-term House of Assembly member between 1999 and 2007, was a former Deputy Speaker in his second term. Achuba was later sworn in at the banquet hall of the government House in Lokoja. Speaking with journalists after his confirmation, Achuba said he would use his political experience to collaborate with the governor in building a virile state and development to all the sectors of the state. Governor bars journalists Meanwhile, journalists in the state yesterday received the shock of their lives as armed security men attached to the government house prevented them from covering the inauguration of the Deputy Governor. The journalists, mostly from the print media who were rushing from the State House of Assembly where the deputy governor was screened, could not gain access to the venue of the inauguration due to the refusal of the security men. The security personnel who claimed they were instructed by the Governor not to allow them in because the inauguration was a private function, warned the journalists not to come in. This practice seems to be in vogue since the inception of Bello’s administration in the state, as journalists have been barred on many occasions from carrying out their legitimate duties involving the governor. One of the security men while exchanging arguments with journalists said: “If the programme was meant for coverage, it would have been held at the Township Stadium.” Efforts by the Chairman of Correspondents’ Chapel, Mallam Ademu Idakwo, to explain to the security men were rebuffed as they threatened to shot if journalists did not leave the premises.Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/02/achuba-now-kogi-deputy-governor/
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