By Ken Afor
Mr. Ahmed Usman Ododo has been sworn in as the fifth executive Governor of Kogi State on Saturday, succeeding his predecessor, Yahaya Bello.
The inauguration took place around 2:24 pm in Lokoja, the state capital.
Governor Ododo, along with other candidates, vied for the top position in the state under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 11, 2023, election.
He emerged victorious, securing 446,237 votes, as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Other notable contenders included Senator Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr. Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Ajaka garnered 259,052 votes, while Melaye, a former federal lawmaker, secured 46,362 votes.
Before Ododo’s inauguration, his Deputy, Salifu Joel Oyibo, took the oath of office.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, Ododo’s predecessor Bello, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, and other party leaders, along with supporters, attended the event.
Governor Ododo, in his inauguration speech, emphasized the end of the politics of bitterness.
He also expressed gratitude for the presence of one of his rivals during the election, Leke Abejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The newly sworn-in governor pledged to position Kogi State as a key driver of the Federal Government’s goals, focusing on achieving food security, poverty eradication, job creation, access to capital, upholding the rule of law, combating corruption, and fostering economic growth starting from the state.
