With the damning news of helicopter crash off the creeks of Bayelsa State – resulting to the sudden death of the Governor of Kaduna State, Sir Patrick Yakowa on Sunday December 15, 2012 – fear has taken over the social ambiance of the northern state of Kaduna. This is as the death of the Christian governor is to pave way for the leadership baton to be passed over to a Muslim deputy, Alhaji Ramalan.
Information available to 247ureports.com indicates that the deputy governor will be sworn-in as the substantive governor of Kaduna State at 10am tomorrow morning [December 16, 2012] at the Kaduna State government house.
Already, the aides to the late governor of Kaduna have been asked to assemble at the government house on the evening of the crash [at 9pm] to prepare the process of handing over to the new leadership under Ramalan. The competent source who spoke to our correspondent revealed that the atmosphere at the government house was solemn for the aides of the late governor – and somewhat celebratory on the part of the deputy governor’s aides and associates. Nonetheless, the hand over process is reported to have begun at the Kaduna State government house. A source inside the government house fears that the transfer process may not go smoothly owing to the frigid relationship between the late office of the governor and the deputy governor.
So far, the aides to the late governor have answered to the call to present themselves at the government house – and have conducted themselves civilly.
Meanwhile, our source pointed to the immediate actions following the break of the news that the State governor has died – as indicative of the fear that may have overcome the residents of Kaduna State. The noticed that the store fronts in Kaduna metropolis – without urging – closed their stores before 5pm and abandoned the streets for their respective home. “It was like an unannounced curfew“, said the source – who also observed a gradual increase in security presence across the Kaduna metropolis.
Kaduna State has served a hot bed for religious violence between Muslims and native Christians. Over 456 lives have been reported lost to the religious violence prompted by the insurgency of the Islamic terrorist group, the Boko Haram. The Christian resident of Kaduna – primarily in southern Kaduna – have shown it ability to respond to the Boko Haram inspired violence – with more violence. For this, the security operatives are worried.
Late Governor Yakowa was the first Christian Governor in Kaduna State – a Muslim dominated State.
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The Secretary to the Kaduna state government, Lawal Samaila Abdullah gave the official confirmation of the death of the State governor. In his words, “The death has occurred of his Excellency, the governor of Kaduna state sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa (con). He died in a navy helicopter on his way to Port Harcourt from Bayelsa state. Other details & the burial arrangements will be announced later.”
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Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa was born December 1, 1948. He was appointed Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Nigeria in July 2005, and returned as Deputy Governor in the April 2007 elections. He was sworn in as Governor on 20 May 2010, replacing former governor Namadi Sambo who had been sworn in as Vice President the day before. Yakowa successfully ran for election as Kaduna Governor in the 26 April 2011 polls.
He was born in Fadan Kagoma, Jema’a Local Government, Kaduna State. He attended St. Mary’s Secondary School, Fadan Kaje and St. John College, Kaduna, and then was admitted to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He graduated with a B. Sc (Social Sciences) in June 1972.
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Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero was the former finance commissioner under the administration of Namadi Sambo. He was elevated to the post of Deputy Governor following Sambo’s accession to the position of vice president of Nigeria. He was born on May 21, 1968 in Agwan Kaura in Zaria City of Kaduna state, Alhaji Yero had his early education at LEA Primary School, Kaura 1974-1980; Government Secondary school ikara, 1980-1985; Government Secondary school, Zaria 1985-1986 before obtaining a Diploma in Banking from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.
When Yakowa appointed Ramalan to the post of deputy governor, he had this to say of Ramalan – ” Yero is a fine gentleman with whom we have been working closely for the past three years in the State Executive Council. I have confidence in him and believe that we shall together, under the guidance of God, steer the affairs of Kaduna State to greater heights.”
