By joshua Game Changer In Kogi Politics: Six South-South States Unite, Tap Bashiru Gegu To Lead Mobilization For Tinubu, Ododo
….Says Award Of Lokoja-Abuja Road By Tinubu, Ododo’s Inclusive Leadership Reasons For Support
The administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has continued to receive commendations for its inclusive governance style as Southerners residing in Kogi State have officially conferred Patronship on the Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Engr. Bashiru Abubakar Gegu.
The conferment, which took place in Gegu-Beki on Saturday during the ongoing Local Government Election, was described as a recognition of the Commissioner’s Midas touch and uncommon leadership capacity, with members noting that anything placed in his hands blossoms.
Engr. Bashiru Gegu, who accepted the honour with humility, said he feels highly honoured to be entrusted with the responsibility of galvanizing the South-South community for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
He described the two leaders as the best thing that has happened to Nigeria and Kogi State, adding that their leadership is what the country and the state need beyond 2027.
The Commissioner particularly lauded President Tinubu for breathing life into critical national infrastructure, citing the Lokoja-Abuja highway, a project awarded since the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo which lingered for over two decades, but is now experiencing accelerated and quality delivery under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He also listed other federal interventions attracted to Kogi State under President Tinubu as reasons why Kogi people are rallying behind the President.
On the home front, Engr. Gegu described Governor Ododo as a detribalized leader, a unifier and a champion of inclusive governance who has made the welfare and inclusion of non-indigenes a top priority of his administration.
According to him, the Ododo administration has given a genuine sense of belonging to all shades of people, irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliation, to cohabit peacefully, do business and prosper in the state.
He described the coming together of the six South-South states — Edo, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa-Ibom and Bayelsa — under one umbrella in Kogi as another historic milestone made possible by the accommodating leadership style of Governor Ododo.
Engr. Gegu assured the Southerners of his total support, guidance and partnership in all activities aimed at propagating the good works of Governor Ododo and President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking earlier, the President of the South-South Community in Kogi State and Special Adviser on South-South Mobilization to Governor Ododo, Comrade Abu Michael, said the decision to confer Patronship on Engr. Gegu was taken after a careful and unanimous assessment of his positive impact, humility and accessibility.
Abu Michael, who leads indigenes of Edo, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa-Ibom and Bayelsa States resident in Kogi, described Engr. Gegu as a man with a Midas touch, a bridge builder and a dependable ally of the South-South people.
He said the South-South platform is strategically positioned to serve as a game changer in the political evolution of Kogi State, noting that with over thousands of members across the 21 Local Government Areas, the group will deliver massive votes for the re-election of President Tinubu and Governor Ododo.
“We have carefully watched the Commissioner. His antecedents speak volume. He is a man whose hands turn things into gold. We need his leadership to guide us. With him leading the Southerners, the aims and objectives of our forum to mobilize for continuity will be fully realized,” Abu Michael stated.
He solicited the Commissioner’s support in providing strategic leadership for the six states, pointing out that the platform provides a veritable opportunity for robust mobilization and voter education.
The event, which attracted leaders of the South-South community from across Kogi State, ended with a vote of confidence passed on President Tinubu and Governor Ododo for their inclusive and development-driven leadership.
Observers have described the formation of a united South-South platform under the Ododo administration as a masterstroke that has further broadened the political base of the APC and reinforced Kogi as a home of unity in diversity.