In what appears to be the first of its kind, a masquerade has trekked from Abuja to Okene for six days in honour of the new Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello.
Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello
Anupo masquerade and some residents of Ebira community in Abuja have trekked from Abuja to Okene to celebrate the inauguration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as the new Governor of Kogi State.
The trek lasted for 6 days and was coordinated by the custodian of the Anupo masquerade, Mallam Kabiru Sule. While speaking on behalf of the group, shortly after arriving at Okene with the masquerade, Sule revealed that the the decision to embark on the journey was in solidarity with their kinsmen from the Central Senatorial district for the governorship slot God has given them.
“We have been celebrating since last week Wednesday when Yahaya Bello took the oath of office as the fourth governor of the state and we decided to hit road by trekking to Okene,” Sule said.
“We started the journey six days ago from Zuba through Abaji, Lokoja to Okene to rejoice with our people”
The masquerade and its members arrived at Ogaminana at about 10a.m yesterday also visited the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebira land Dr Ado Ibrahim to pay homage and to rejoice with him over the new governor who is from the kingdom. He further appealed to the people of the state to throw their support to the government as it is one that will bring the promised dividends of democracy.
The Punch reports that the co-ordinator of Hajia Hawawu Political Group in central senatorial district, Mallam Tijani Abdulrahim Oguna lauded the effort of the masquerade, saying the celebration knows no boundary as Ebira people have struggled and prayed for this day in the last 24 years.
Oguna called on the governor to appoint competent people into his cabinet so as to swiftly achieve his blueprint for the development of the state.