By; ADAMA JOHN, Lokoja
Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo has been sworn-in as the fith governor of Kogi State by the state Chief Judge, Justice Joshia Majebi on Saturday.
The colourful inauguration ceremony was the climax of the verdict of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that announced the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo as the winner of the November Off Circle election in the state late last year.
In the said election, Ododo polled 446,237 votes to defeat Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) who staggered to second position with 259,052 votes, while Senator Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led with 46,362 votes from behind.
The power-shift to Kogi Central was due to the death of Prince Abubakar Audu, who would have again been declared the winner of the November 2015 gubernatorial election, but for the unpredicted cold hands of death that cut short his life, causing the declaration of an inconclusive election by the electoral umpire.
Opinion sampled by our correspondent revealed that the administration of Ododo will be a stamped legacy of Yahaya Bello’s bequeathed modus operandi, while others opined that there will be a change to reflect a dramatic change.
The fear was confirmed by the governor, when he said that he will build on the achievements of his predecessor, having described his mentor as the father of modern Kogi State, lauded him for his transformation feat and for building an envious Kogi State.
Consequently, the newly sworn-in governor of the state, Ahmed Usman Ododo has nominated members of his cabinet and other top government functionaries largely drawn from Bello’s administration on his first day in office.
He announced the nomination of some Commissioners to be forwarded to the State House of Assembly for prompt confirmation as members of the State Executive Council (SEC) during his inaugural speech to the people of the state.
The Commissioner-nominees were mainly drawn from the immediate-past administration of Governor Yahaya Bello and include the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Folashade Ayoade Arike, Kingsley Fanwo, Deedat Salami Ozigi, among others to be appointed with immediate effect.
Furthermore Suleiman Ibrahim was appointed as the Director General of Protocol, Oladele John Nihi as Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Alhaji Shaibu Oricha as Director General of Government House Administration, and Barrister Femi Adegboyega as the State Legal Adviser. These appointments take immediate effect.
The occasion also included the conferment of the highest state honour on the immediate past Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, and a minute of silence that was observed in honour of the late Governor of the State, Prince Abubakar Audu.
Alhaji Yahaya Bello’s protege urged the people to choose unity and togetherness and affirmed his will to pursue in full measure their happiness without tribal or ethnic affiliation that binds them together.
“We will work to sustain the ideals of the founding fathers, delivering on the dreams of a prosperous Kogi State that will lead to the progress of the State as envisioned by the founding fathers.”
To ensure a sense of belonging, Ododo assured that the charter of power rotation, which would ensure inclusiveness of all segments of the state will be test run as a style of governance.
”I shall hit the ground running with programmes that would ensure the well-being of our people, with accountability and transparency as our driving force.
“Let it be said that once upon a time, when our will was tested, we strived for unity for the future generation of all Kogites.
”Our administration will strive to complete all ongoing projects and focus on solid minerals, steel development, marine and digital economy.”
The Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, National Chairman of APC, Dr.Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and other stakeholders of the party as well as other members of the society attended the inaugural occasion.
