In spite of the controversies from various quarters, Mr Edward Onoja has been sworn in as the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, in Lokoja, on Monday.
Onoja, a former Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello, was inaugurated shortly after he appeared before members of the Kogi State House of Assembly.
Earlier, the new deputy governor was screened by the lawmakers who then asked him to take a bow, paving the way for his inauguration to replace the embattled former deputy governor of the state, Mr Simon Achuba.
Thereafter, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Nasir Ajana, administered the oath of office on Mr Onoja who was accompanied by his wife.
The event was attended by Governor Bello, some members of the State House of Assembly, and top government officials in the state.
Onoja’s screening and swearing in came barely three days after the lawmakers impeached the former deputy governor of the state, Mr Simon Achuba.
Mr Achuba was impeached on Friday after the House received the report of a committee set up by the State Chief Judge, Justice Nasir Ajana, to investigate an allegation of gross misconduct against him.
The Majority Leader of the House and the lawmaker representing Ajaokuta State Constituency, Mr Hassan Abdullahi, had told reporters that committee headed by John Bayeshea submitted the report to the Speaker of the House, Mr Mathew Kolawole.
He explained that the lawmakers subsequently considered the report and took a unanimous decision to impeach Achuba.
In his reaction, Mr Achuba condemned the action of the lawmakers.
He said his impeachment was illegal and unconstitutional.
