Kogi Assembly ratifies Simeon Achuba as deputy governor

The Kogi State House of Assembly has confirmed the appointment of Simeon Achuba as deputy governor of the state.

He will replace James Faleke who refused to be sworn into the position on January 27 when the governor, Yahaya Bello, was inaugurated.

Mr. Faleke, who is a member of the House of Representatives, had withdrawn from the supplementary election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, insisting he should replace Abubakar Audu, the former governorship candidate of APC, who died before the November 21 election was concluded.

Mr. Achuba, a former deputy speaker of the state house of assembly, comes from Ibaji Local Government Area in the Kogi East Senatorial Zone, where Mr. Audu hailed from.

He is believed to be a loyalist of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who has been accused in the past few days by some politicians in Kogi State, of interfering in the politics of the state.

Among those who had shown interest in the position were Justina Abanida, David Atte, Sam Aro and Alex Akoje, who was believed to have been favoured by the national secretariat of the APC as well as the minister of state for labour and productivity, James Ocholi.