The immediate past governor of Kogi state, Idris Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party, was absent at the inauguration of his successor, Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress, on Wednesday.
He was not available to perform handover formalities or make a speech at the inauguration ceremony.
Mr. Wada’s whereabouts remained unknown but those close to him said he might have travelled out of Nigeria.
Another source at the Kogi Government House told PREMIUM TIMES the former governor travelled out Tuesday.
The former governor’s spokesperson, Jacob Edi, confirmed that his boss was not at the handover ceremony.
He said attendance at the inauguration ceremony by an outgoing governor is optional and discretionally.
“Attending the ceremony is not mandatory,” Mr. Edi said. “But every other instrument of power was handed over, and every holistic cooperation was given for a smooth transition.”