Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja
The Chief Judge of KogI State Justice Josiah Majebi has sworn in Usman Ahmed Ododo as the fifth democratical elected governor of the State.
Justice Majebi administered oath of office on the newly elected governor of Kogi State shortly after the inauguration of the new Deputy Governor, Joel Oyibo Salifu.
The swearing ceremony took place at the Muhammandu Buhari Civic centre in Lokoja on Saturday.
The well wishers from the three senatorial districts, and diaspora, All Progressive Congress faithful, friend and associate had throng to Muhammandu Buhari Civic Centre as early as 7.00am to grace the historical occasion marking the new era in Kogi State political landscape.
The immediate past governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, took oath of office on 27th of January 2016. He recontested and won gubernatorial election in November 2019 for second term which constitutional expired at 12.00 am on 27th January 2024 .
Former governor Bello officially handed over to Governor Ododo and subsequently stepped aside.
In his inaugural speech after swearing ceremony, Ododo expressed gratitude to God for making this a reality, commended former Governor Bello for his numerous support during the electionneering period and for the victory for the All Progressive Congress APC in the ftate.
He called on all political opponents that contested the November 2023 governorship election to join hands with him to move the state to the next level.
He noted that the election had come and gone, stressing that it was time to build a United Kogi State.
The governor pointed out that the state could not afford to go back to the era of divisive ethnic tendencies that rocked the state in the past.
He explained that time had come to entrench power rotation in Kogi, pointing out the last election has shown that no single senatorial district can produce governor with the cooperation of the two others.
He assured the people of the state that Kogi had what its takes to make the state the industrial hub with federal government’s commitment to revamping the ailing Ajaokuta steel company.
Ododo commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress APC Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for allowing level playing ground.
