Journalists barred from inauguration of Kogi deputy governor

JOURNALISTS in Kogi State were yesterday barred from covering the inauguration of the deputy governor, Mr. Simeon Achuba.

The swearing-in was shrouded in secrecy as armed security men attached to the Banquet Hall at the Government House in Lokoja prevented reporters from gaining access to cover the event.

Newsmen, mostly from the prints who were rushing from the state House of Assembly hall where the deputy governor was screened could not gain access due to the refusal of security-men.

The security men, who claimed to be acting on instruction from above, said the inauguration was not meant to be a public function. They then ordered journalists to leave the office.

One of the security men while exchanging words with journalists said they should have read the body language of the government, especially as the programme was under a closed-door.

It would recalled that following demise of the late Prince Abubakar Audu, the name of his running-mate, James Abiodun Faleke, was submitted along with Bello who was substituted.

Faleke declined to be sworn in claiming to be the governor-elect after Audu’s death.He had since approached the tribunal for proper interpretation to the lacuna created by Audu’s death at the verge of victory.

Achuba, a two-time member of the House, was asked to just “Take a Bow and Go” following submissions of members that as a former member of the House, there was no need to subject him to rigorous screening.

Born on July 13, 1964, Achuba was a member of the Assembly between 1999 and 2007 and Deputy Speaker of the House between 2003 and 2007 as well as the immediate past Chairman of Kogi State Environmental Protection Board.