Yahaya Bello's Inauguration: Sights and Sounds of Confusion from Kogi

A lot was riding on the inauguration of Yahaya Bello as Kogi State governor. You’ll recall that following the sudden death of Abubakar Audu (then candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), and winner of the election), the governorship position was handed to Bello, more or less.

Audu’s running mate James Faleke is in court challenging that decision. But on Wednesday January 27, Bello made history on many counts-He was sworn in without a deputy, became Nigeria’s youngest governor at 40, first minority from the Ebira tribe to govern Kogi (last three governors were Igala).

My interest of course is the televised inauguration ceremony I watched on AIT from around 12.35 pm. I think singer YQ was performing. At this time, NTA was planning to join as another live programme ‘From The National Assembly’ was still running (NTA later joined around 1.02 pm and started from the beginning of the programme).

Serious confusion is what confronts the viewer. I can’t blame the TV station solely. The podium is packed and it’s impossible to tell who is in charge. Parts of the stadium look like they’re being renovated or something. How does a TV crew set up in this kind of confusion?
Luckily, it isn’t long before the governor comes on for his speech.

This time, Ice Prince has ended his performance. And time to bring the governor. Someone who claims “I’m not in the best interest to introduce the new governor” calls on Senator Dino Melaye, Kogi West, APC. He comes on to clear the podium: “I insist that everybody go down, please.

Because we are live on AIT, NTA and Channels.” Channels is yet to begin coverage at that point anyway. They were running Dateline Abuja. Dino continues in typical Dinoesque fashion: “Those who were against APC, who are against Yahaya Bello, who are against this new government…” (Then PHCN struck). One could’ve been fooled into thinking Bello’s inauguration would be a celebration, even if a solemn one considering Audu’s death. But to resort to name calling…

Governor Bello finally takes the stage and begins a long list of protocol. Then there are the usual platitudes: He’ll do his best, have zero tolerance for corruption, all by God’s grace or words to that effect. But he’s emotional (in tears) when talking about his parents-the death of his father which turned his mother into a very young widow. He thanks his wives ‘especially Hajia Rasheedat” who stood by him “in this chequered journey”. Then he quotes the now infamous: “ I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.” Quoting President Buhari may have sounded politically gratiating but for the sake of Kogi people, hope Bello doesn’t go the way of President Buhari’s other quotes a la 97% versus 5%.

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