By joshua 
Redundant Commissioners: Why Gov. Usman Ododo Must Dissolve His Cabinet Now
The Movement for a Better Kogi State (MBKS) has issued a formal call to Governor Usman Ododo to urgently dissolve his cabinet and replace the “perpetual commissioners” who have served for over eight years.
Seyi Babalola, spokesperson of the group, asserts that the continued presence of these redundant officials is the primary factor alienating the administration from the majority of Kogites and stalling the state’s progress.
The Burden of Redundancy: The Case of the Commissioner for Finance
The MBKS points to the Ministry of Finance as a prime example of administrative stagnation. The current Commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, *Mukadam Asiwaju Asiru Idris*, has held this sensitive position since 2016. Despite nearly a decade in power, the impact of his office on the lived reality of the average Kogi citizen remains questionable. While the Ministry may provide technical reports on debt ratios, the “man on the street” faces record inflation, high unemployment, and a lack of grassroots economic empowerment. After eight years, the fiscal strategies of the Idris-led ministry have become recycled and predictable, lacking the fresh innovation required to navigate the current global and national economic crisis.
Barriers to Public Acceptance
Governor Usman Ododo’s struggle to gain full legitimacy and acceptance from the majority of Kogites stems from a perception that his government is merely a “third term” for the previous administration. By retaining the same individuals who have occupied these seats for two full terms, the Governor is inadvertently signaling a lack of independence.
The movement highlights that these long-serving officials have:
– *Exhausted Their Ideas*: No official can remain in a single cabinet position for nearly a decade without falling into “incumbency fatigue.”
– *Blocked Human Capital Development*: Their refusal to vacate office has prevented thousands of other qualified, brilliant, and younger Kogi professionals from contributing their expertise to the state.
– *Symbolized Old Grievances*: For many Kogites, these commissioners represent the hardships of the past decade. Their presence makes it impossible for the people to believe that a “New Era” has truly begun.
A Call for Decisive Action
The MBKS insists that the sack of these officials is not just a political preference but a necessity for governance survival. For Governor Ododo to win the hearts of the majority, he must demonstrate that he is responsive to the public’s desire for change.
> “You cannot pour new wine into old wineskins,” the statement read. “If Governor Ododo wishes to be accepted as a leader for all Kogites, he must purge his cabinet of those who have overstayed their welcome. Eight years is more than enough time for any individual to contribute their best. It is time for them to go.”
The Movement for a Better Kogi State calls on the Governor to act within the coming days to reconstitute a cabinet that reflects the diversity, youthfulness, and professional excellence of the Kogi people.