In a historic ceremony held in Lokoja, Ahmed Usman Ododo was officially sworn in as the Governor of Kogi State, succeeding Yahaya Bello, who completed his second term in office. The inauguration took place on Saturday at approximately 2:24 pm, with Salifu Joel Oyibo concurrently taking the oath of office as the Deputy Governor of Kogi State.
The presence of notable figures marked the event, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Governor Yahaya Bello, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Abdullahi Ganduje, and other distinguished members of the party.
Governor Ododo expressed gratitude for the unity displayed during the ceremony, acknowledging the presence of one of his rivals, Leke Abejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In his address, Ododo emphasized a departure from the politics of bitterness and pledged to lead with inclusivity and collaboration.
Promising a transformative leadership, Governor Ododo outlined his vision for Kogi State, intending to position it as a sub-national pioneer for key Federal Government programs. His focus areas include food security, poverty eradication, job creation, access to capital, adherence to the rule of law, the fight against corruption, and overall economic growth, tailored to the specific needs of Kogi State.
Governor Ododo secured victory in the November 11, 2023 election, as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). With 446,237 votes, he triumphed over his closest rival, Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who scored 259,052 votes. Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trailed with 46,362 votes.
The swearing-in ceremony marks the commencement of Governor Ododo’s tenure, and the expectations are high for his administration’s commitment to the development and progress of Kogi State.
