Ododo Affirms Faleke’s Group, Says No Division In Kogi APC

Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his political relationship with the Member representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, declaring that there is no disagreement between them.

The Governor made the declaration on Thursday when he received members of the Faleke Political Vanguard, a youth support organisation with representation across the 21 Local Government Areas of Kogi State, during a courtesy visit to the Government House, Lokoja.

According to a statement by the Coordinator of the Faleke Political Vanguard, Alamoh Kehinde Samuel, Ododo explained that his inability to meet with the group regularly was not an indication of neglect or disagreement but rather a consequence of his demanding responsibilities as the Chief Executive of the state.

According to the Governor, Faleke had specifically directed the group to support his administration, a responsibility he said he had willingly embraced.

“I want people to know that we are together; we don’t have differences. He is my leader and he is my partner. I have been saying it, and I owe nobody any apology,” the Governor declared.

He also recalled the support he received from Faleke during his legal challenges, describing their relationship as one built on mutual understanding, loyalty and shared political interests.

Beyond political affiliations, Ododo used the occasion to reiterate his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, particularly the empowerment of youths and women.

The Governor described himself as a product of collective support, insisting that his position should not make him feel superior to other stakeholders.

“I am not better than anybody. I have no voice, I have no power without your support. But with your support, we are willing to defend the interests of our youths and women,” he said.

Reflecting on the state’s political history, Ododo cautioned against using young people as instruments of violence and division, recalling past experiences in which political interests allegedly fuelled hostility among communities and supporters.

Earlier, the Coordinator of the Faleke Political Vanguard, Alamoh Kehinde Samuel, said the organisation comprised carefully selected youth leaders and supporters drawn from the 21 local government areas, many of whom were followers of the late former Governor Abubakar Audu and Hon. James Abiodun Faleke.

He expressed appreciation to Governor Ododo for his support for the organisation and its members, describing the administration’s attention to security, youth development and inclusive governance as key reasons for their continued engagement.

Kehinde also highlighted some of the administration’s interventions in healthcare, education, infrastructure, workers’ welfare and investment promotion.

He specifically cited the construction and renovation of 88 primary healthcare centres, the establishment of a psychiatric centre at the Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital, educational support for students, improved payment of salaries and pensions, the expansion of the state health insurance scheme and ongoing road projects.

He disclosed that the organisation had established a coordination structure across the state’s 21 local government areas and 239 wards, with a claimed membership strength of 100 persons per ward, bringing its projected membership to 23,900.

He added that the organisation planned to hold inaugurations at the zonal, local government and ward levels to strengthen its grassroots structure.

Kehinde said the group’s political mission included mobilising support for Governor Ododo and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Also speaking, the Kogi State Chairman of the Special Advisers’ Forum, Hon. Bode Adeyemi, commended the organisation for its growing mobilisation capacity, recalling that about 400 of its members had previously participated in an engagement with his team.

He described the group’s participation in a solidarity walk organised in support of President Tinubu as a significant demonstration of youth mobilisation, adding that its recent activities had shown its commitment to the political objectives of the administration.

Adeyemi noted that the organisation’s expanding membership across the 239 wards underscored the need for an inclusive structure capable of accommodating young people from different backgrounds.

He expressed confidence in the group’s leadership and organisational capacity, urging members to remain focused on their objectives.