A forum of former political office holders from the 21 local government areas of Kogi State who served between 2013 and 2016 has endorsed Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for a second term.
It attributed the action to the governor’s commitment to developmental projects in all sectors of the state.
This is just as the forum passionately appeals to the government to defray the two billion seven hundred million naira (N 2,700,000,000.00) balance of arrears and allowances as earlier promised.
The forum noted that paying the arrears will bring smiles to the faces of members who have been traumatized by the economic realities facing the people.
The forum in a world press conference held at the Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ), conference hall yesterday in Lokoja, noted that the group came into being in 2014 to fight against the unjust dissolution of the councils by a high court judgement and filed an appeal at the court of Appeal and won the case , but however, lamented that the then Governor, Captain Idris Wada failed to reinstate them.
The chairman of the forum Hon Musa Abdullahi and the secretary Hon. Muhammed Idris Omale while reading the prepared text disclosed that the forum experienced turbulent and tortuous times, exerting energy and resources to pursue the case , adding that on October 23, 2015 , the court of Appeal passed judgement in their favour.
He added that, when ex-Governor Yahaya Bello was sworn in, he recalled the councils back to complete their tenure , and promised to offset salaries and allowances owed them.
He commended Governor Bello for partially paying the arrears, two billion naira out of the four billion seven hundred million owed to the members.
He also commended Governor Ododo for the facilitation of the payment of the third tranche and promised to clear all the backlog if he wins the 2023 governorship election.
He added that the group has been active in politics on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC and worked so hard for his success at the polls and pledged to lead the campaign for his second tenure bid.
The forum noted that the governor’s endorsement is borne out of his pragmatic commitment to changing the state’s narratives for the better.
He said that in barely two years in office, the governor was able to prioritize the payment of salaries both at the state and local government councils, a feat that has been described as unprecedented in the state’s history.
According to him “Governor Ododo has paid WAEC, NECO and JAMB fees and made education free , taking the burden off the parents and guardians. He built and renovated public schools in the state.
” Traditional institutions reforms and welfare of traditional rulers is paramount in his agenda. He embarked on the construction of roads across the three senatorial districts. He got distinction as the first state to have the highest numbers of enrollees into the State Health Insurance Scheme KHIS for civil servants, Youth and women empowerment, Rural electrification, sports Development, and distribution of palliative to the vulnerable households, just to mention a few.”
The chairman praised him for his priority in security as he procured operational vehicles and technological gadgets to the security agencies which has yielded results with drastic reduction of crime and criminality, receiving accolades from within the state and across the states.
While commiserating with him over the death of his father, Alhaji Ahmed MomohSani Ododo, he said the forum shared in his grief and prays to Almighty Allah to forgive his sins, grant him Aljanatul firdaus and give the family fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
