Kogi 2027: You Don’t Change a Winning Team, Ododo has Done Well —Dr Fashagba
Recently, the polity in Kogi State has been heated particularly the call for Okun land and indeed Kogi West to produce the next Governor of the Confluence State.
The proponents of this agenda are right but they fail to comprehend the fact that their agitation is ill time and selfish as Kogi State is one, either Okun, Ebira and Igala.
This agitation was re-echoed at this year’s Kabba Day held on 8th November 2025, where the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Sunday Karimi claimed that Kogi West was in talks with the Eastern Senatorial District and will produce the next Governor.
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Although such a statement should not be coming from a man who benefited from the benevolence of a dynamic and vibrant system put in place by former Governor Yahaya Bello, the State Leader, who supported him to actualize his dream of representing Kogi West at the Red Chamber.
As an Academic, the comment of Senator Karimi can simply be considered as delivering the script of his Emergency Political God-father and does not represent the general opinion of the good people of Kogi West Senatorial District especially Okun extraction.
The fact remains that the present Governor, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo has done well since the assumption of office and it is needless to change a Chief Servant and outstanding Leader that is doing what the people of the State have been yearning for.
It is on record that the exceptional and people-centric Leadership style of Governor Ododo has endeared many prominent opposition Leaders to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as they all at different decamping ceremony affirmed that his choice to lead Kogi State at this time was not only divine but a dream come through for Kogites.
Governor Ododo, the Chief Servant has without any doubt fulfilled his campaign promises to the good people of Kogi State in the Area of Infrastructure development, Education, Agriculture, Security, Health, Civil Service and Pension Reforms, Youths and Women Empowerment among others.
Just last week, the Governor commissioned the first phase of 80 revitalised Primary Health Care Centre across the State as part of his resolve to provide quality healthcare service to rural dwellers as well as ensure a good working environment for health workers.
In the Education sector, the present administration having known the importance of education as the bedrock of any society has allocated over 30% of its annual budgetary allocation to the sector, a move that has brought a turn around to teaching and learning at the basic, Secondary and Tertiary school levels.
One Area in the Education sector that was neglected in the past before he assumed office is the issue of bursary to students of Tertiary institutions which has been reactivated by the Governor Ododo led administration with an increment of the said amount to #30,000 and payment of #300,000 to Law Students.
Also, Primary and Secondary School Teachers have been paid their salaries as and when due with leave bonus as enjoyed by their State Workers counterpart.
Tertiary Institutions from Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba, Confluence University of Science and Technology Osara, Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, Kogi State of College of Education Ankpa and others has experienced the mida touch of the present administration with provision of infrastructure and 100 percent accreditation of courses.
Through ACReSAL, a World Bank-financed project, Governor Ododo has embarked on erosion control projects across the three Senatorial Districts of the State, a move that will reduce flooding in the benefiting Communities and its environs.
The Agriculture Sector is not left out as the present administration of the Chief Servant has invested Billions of Naira in the sector, improving farming and livestock business as well as other.
For Infrastructure, Kogi State since Governor Ododo came on board has continued to become construction sites with road rehabilitation and construction across the State, water supply projects, Lokoja Modern International Market among others, construction of Kogi State audit House are footprints of His Excellency.
The Civil Servants at both State and Local Government levels are enjoying the minimum wage as Governor Ododo remains the first Governor in the country to implement it with cash backing, while he has restored payment of leave bonus to them.
One unique thing that has cushioned the effect of hunger in the State is the introduction of the quarterly distribution of rice palliative to the 21 Local Government Areas of the State.
If the achievements of Governor Ododo, a performing Chief Servant are to be listed, the list is endless and he should be encouraged to do more instead of planning to hijack power that has been given to him by God.
Governorship tickets cannot be gotten while discrediting the image of the Governor in the Media and Social Media but through dialogue.
It is wise to support Governor Ododo to complete his two tenures in office after which stakeholders will come to a Round table for who will take over from him.
I know His Excellency while he was my Student at the Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State. He is an upright man with integrity and capacity to lead Kogi State to the Promised Land. And that is why he has proven the nay sayers wrong with his performance.
While I urge the Kogi West Senator as a Public Figure to desist using brotal languages that could create disunity and smear the long standing relationship between the Ebiras and Okuns since Kwara State, those overheating the polity to stop as attention should be focused towards fighting the insecurity that has been threatening our peaceful existence.
I want to wish my Governor good health to do more for the people of the State and I wish to conclude that I have absolute confidence in him.
Written by Dr Fashagba Paul Femi FCNA, Provost COE Ankpa
November 9, 2025
