Politics

Yahaya Bello dissolves, appoints new cabinet

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has dissolved his cabinet and appointed new one as part of transition process for the incoming administration in the state.

The Kogi State Governor-Elect, Usman Ododo, will take over from Bello’s administration on January 27, 2024.

Those affected by the dissolution included heads of agencies, parastatals, and other appointees. Although some of them were reappointed alongside the new members of cabinet.

Bello’s media aide, Onogwu Muhammed, in a statement issued, said the governor made the pronouncement at the end of the state’s executive council meeting held at the EXCO Hall of the governor’s office in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, on Monday.

The governor said his decisive and strategic action became imperative as his administration would soon come to an end.

He said: “This significant move serves as a recalibration of the governance trajectory and signifies the initiation of the comprehensive transition process as my ‘New Direction Administration’ gracefully concludes its tenure.

“Government officials affected by this announcement are instructed to ensure a thorough and proper handover process, transferring all pertinent government documents, property, and materials to the permanent secretary of their ministries or senior government officials stationed in their respective offices.”

Bello, however, commended the affected officials for exemplifying unparalleled commitment, diligence, and unwavering patriotism throughout their tenure.

He wished them success in their future endeavours, a sentiment he extended to all heads of agencies and other appointees whose roles were now concluded.

Those retained by Governor Bello included the Secretary to the Government, Ayoade Folashade-Arike; State Security Adviser, Navy Commodore Jerry Omodara (Rtd); Deputy Chief of Staff, Sunday Faleke; and Director-General, Government House Administration, Oricha Umaru Shaibu.

Also retained were; Mohammed Sanni Ibrahim, SAN, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; Abubakar Bashir Mohammed, Commissioner for Solid Mineral and Natural Resources; Kingsley Olorunfemi Fanwo, Commissioner for Information and Communication; Mohammed Ihiezue Abdulmutalib, Commissioner for Rural and Energy Development; and Asiru Idris Asiwaju, Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning.

Others were Abdulsalam Ozigi Momodu, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Wemi Jones, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology; Yakubu Yusuf Okala, State Auditor-General; Musa Bashiru Ohu, Special Adviser to the Governor (Government House Imam); and Hadi Ametuo, Special Adviser on Political Matters.

Others included Dr Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, Personal Physician to the Governor; Onogwu Muhammed, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor; Sunday Bamidele Ayenibe, Director- General Protocol; Afolabi Joseph Raji, Special Adviser on Special Duties II; Moses Okezie-Okafor, Director-General, Research and Development; and Ahovi Salami Ibrahim.

“All domestic staff to the governor and deputy governor including those of their spouses are not affected,” the governor’s aide added.

The new appointees to fill the vital vacant positions in the state included Habibat Oyiza Tijani, State’s Accountant-General; Abdulrazaq Muhammed, Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board; Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, Auditor-General for Local Governments; Kadiri Mohammed Okeji, Special Adviser on Finance; and Isah Taofeeq, Director-General, Project Monitoring Agency.

To strengthen the security architecture of Kogi State in the area of intelligence and information gathering, Bello also appointed security advisers from all the federal constituencies of the state.

Muhammed, however, noted that the appointments were with immediate effect.

The Star