Following the refusal of Hon. James Faleke to be running mate to the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the governor has finally appointed Hon. Simon Achuba as his deputy.

Achuba, a former deputy speaker of the state House of Assembly, was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) few weeks to state governorship election.

It was reliably gathered yesterday that the governor has sent his name to the state assembly for confirmation next Wednesday when the assembly would sit.

Forwarding of the name of Achuba to the state assembly brings to rest the insinuation in some parts of the state that some people were jostling for the number two position as the governor was yet to choose one out of them since he has the prerogative to appoint somebody he can work with.

The letter of appointment of Achuba signed by the governor and forwarded to the state assembly read in part: “In line with the provision of section 186 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended, I have the pleasure to forward herewith the name of Hon. Simon Achuba for approval of appointment as the deputy governor of Kogi State.

“Achuba hails from Ibaji Local Government Area of the state and was a two-time member of the assembly (1999 to 2007) wherein he was deputy speaker of the assembly during his second tenure (2003 to 2007).

“In view of the above, it will be highly appreciated if the request is treated and approved with utmost speed to pave way for his assumption of office.”

Sources further hinted that the state assembly, upon receiving the letter, fixed February 10 for the confirmation as deputy governor of the name forwarded to it.

Credit: Thisday