Kaduna State Governor Muktar Ramalan Yero yesterday forwarded the name of Ambassador Nuhu Audu Bajoga to the State House of Assembly for confirmation as new deputy governor.
This confirmed a Daily Trust exclusive story published yesterday, which said Yero will nominate Bajoga today barring any last-minute change.
Bajoga, 63, is a former Nigerian ambassador to Poland and is at present the chairman of the state chapter of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP).
He will replace Yero, who moved on to become governor following the death of Governor Patrick Yakowa in a helicopter crash penultimate Saturday in Bayelsa State.
Kaduna State Information Commissioner Saidu Adamu told journalists at a news conference yesterday that the governor has submitted Bajoga's name to the state lawmakers for confirmation.
"(Yero) has forwarded Ambassador Bajoga's name to the state assembly for ratification and confirmation. As a matter of fact, we are waiting for their approval at any moment from now," he said.
Daily Trust gathered that Governor Yero yesterday met with the principal officers of the state assembly at the government house on the issue of Bajoga's confirmation.
A source at the assembly said the lawmakers will sit on Thursday after the Christmas holidays to ratify the nomination, which was greeted by protests from southern Kaduna groups.
The Concerned Southern Kaduna Professionals on Sunday urged Yero not to appoint Bajoga as deputy governor because of his age.
Yesterday, the group as well as the youth wing of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) rejected the nomination of Bajoga.
In a statement signed Dr John Danfulani and Pendo K. Yates, the professionals said Bajoga's acceptance of his nomination was a betrayal of the people of the southern zone.
"What is more painful and amazing is, at his age and exposure he had allowed his quest for political power to mortgage future of present and upcoming generations of Southern Kaduna," the statement said.
Addressing a news conference in Kaduna, spokesman of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) youth wing, Nasiru Jagaba, who read a text on behalf of the coalition of youths groups in the zone, said Bajoga's selection was made in privacy without consultation.
"We strongly oppose the selection of anybody above the age of 45 years to represent southern Kaduna as deputy governor, we feel the elders of southern Kaduna are probably dragging the state to their grave by appointing a person above 45 years as deputy governor," he said.
"Governor Yero as a youth is not supposed to take a deputy who is old enough to be his father. Since the return of democracy, almost 70% of total vote cast in the country comes from the youths, yet we are being used as tools and dumped after election," he added.
'We are for peace'
Meanwhile, Governor Yero, yesterday in Zaria said his administration would give priority to ways of maintaining peaceful coexistence in the state.
Yero said this when he visited the emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, adding that he is committed to working for peace, unity, progress and development of the state.
The governor said he was in Zaria to condole with the emir over the death of Mr. Yakowa, and to also seek for blessing and support of the emirate council.
Responding, the Emir assured the governor of the support of the traditional institution. He said the traditional rulers would rally round the governor to assist him to succeed in the discharge of his duties.
The Emir also cautioned people against rumour mongering.
Daily Trust reports that Yero's visit to Zaria, his hometown, was the first since he assumed office as governor on December 16.
