joshuaODODO AS BECKON OF HOPE FOR KOGI PEOPLE
Reminiscing on that laudable supreme Court victory
By Chris Ben-Kato
SSA Information & public communication
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THE AMIABLE, QUITE, LISTENING, AND FOCUSED LEADER, GOVERNOR AHMED USMAN ODODO HAS CLEARLY WON ALL HIS ELECTORAL LITIGATIONS. AS HE SETTLES TO CONSOLIDATE ON HIS POLICY DIRECTION, CHRIS BEN-KATO, THE SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANT ON INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION SEES THE GOVERNOR AS THE BEACON OF HOPE FOR KOGI PEOPLE
Change is the only ingredient capable of altering the status quo. This the more reason people continue to savour for change.
In academics it is expected that each year one has to move to a fresh calendar year. In agriculture crop rotation is practice where one specie of crop is replaced with another. In politics offices are sought for on agreed years or terms to usher in fresh air in leadership. This of course is change in the baton of leadership.
On January 27, 2024 there was change of baton in Kogi’s political clime. Former governor Yahaya Adoza Bello handled over to Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo and a new political era was ushered into the democracy space of Kogi State.
Right from the campaign period, Alhaji Ododo made it abundantly clear that if elected he would consolidate on the gains of his predecessor. It is on record that Since assumption of office the governor has never reneged in his promises.
No doubt, governor Ododo is not a politician of rhetorics. His actions speaks more of his policy direction and it has sofar earned him large followership in the state.
So far so good, we have seen governor Ododo’s handwriting in the last eight months in office. From the increase in the payment of Local Government workers salaries, provision of incentives to Kogi farmers, asphalt laying on Lokoja metropolis roads, vision for a cargo airport, State electricity board etc etc, governor Ododo has continued to bulldoze his way in the provision of social infrastructure to Kogi people.
At the democratic space, governor Ododo has made political appointments which has cut across Senatorial districts and tribal divide. On gender, the governor has also offered various political appointments to the women in the state. Whats more , the youths in the state are not left out in his appointments. As a matter of fact many youths today occupy better positions in Ododo’s cabinet.
In spite of the many political appointments carried out so far by the Ododo administration, one opening which appeared uncovered is the appointment of the APC members who reside at the grassroots and of whom statistics has it that the produce larger votes in every election.
Governor Ododo understands the feelings of the electorates at the grassroots. From his upogoro ward to the burstling Okene politics up to Kogi and national politics, the governor has not only witnessed but also tasted grassroots politicking. It is therefore very difficult for the governor to forget grassroots constituencies were the bulk of votes in every election resides.
Governor Ododo’s choice to appoint ward special Assistants in all the 239 wards in Kogi State was deliberate and a positive move to carry along the constituencies who suffer in every election to vote credible leaders into office. Suffice it to say that this is the first time in the history of the state for such grassroots appointments to be made by a sitting governor.
Since the time the governor made the appointments, findings from all the 239 wards in the state has revealed an unprecedented joy from the electorates at the grassroots of the state. This of course should be of no surprise as the people living at the local level now feel a sense of self worth in politics of the state.
Worthy of note here is the fact that, Governor Ododo is seen as the emblem of democracy in the state. Prior to the Supreme Court judgement, majority of the people in the state kept praying for the governor to win the case.
The prayers of Kogi people and their political wishes received God’s affirmation when the Supreme Court on Friday August 23, declared governor Ododo as the authentic winner of the Kogi state November 2023 governorship election.
From the Pinnacle of the Supreme Court in Abuja to the plains of Kogi State, people poured out in joy to congratulate the governor on his victory. The governor at last is left off the distractions of electoral cases. To God alone be the glory.
Governor Ododo is humble in victory. He told the people of the state that the victory is for the people of Kogi State and not his. What more can one say of a humble and God-sent leader for the people of the state.
While the people are still at the centre of the governor’s victory from the Supreme Court, it will be wise for the leaders of the opposition parties in the state to join hands in building a strong state. It is God who gives power and when he does his thing no one can question him.
I sincerely wish to join thousands of well meaning Kogites in rejoicing with His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo on his well deserved victory at the supreme Court.
Hon. Chris Ben-Kato is the Senior Special Assistant on Information and Public Communication to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo
