Ex-political Office Holders in Kogi Passes Vote of Confidence on Ododo

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The Forum of Ex-political Office Holders of the 21 Local Government Areas in Kogi state between 2013 to 2016 tenure have passed a vote of confidence on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his overwhelming achievements since he came into leadership. adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Chairman of the forum, Musa Abdullahi while briefing journalists at the end of its meeting held in Lokoja on Wednesday, disclosed that after a meticulous study of the Governor’s performance within his short term in office, decided to accord him recognition based on the following reasons; provision of vehicles, fund and gadgets to security agencies to tackle rising cases of kidnapping and banditry, prompt payment of salaries, leave bonuses and pensions to civil servants and pensioners, payment of WAEC/NECO fees of students in public schools and general improvement in the education sector to enhance quality learning and teaching right from basic to tertiary education levels.

Other achievements of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo as enumerated by the forum includes; road construction and rehabilitation, introduction of traditional institution reforms that would carter for the welfare of royal fathers, quality healthcare delivery, women/youth empowerment, rural electrification projects, sport development, completion of projects inherited from past administrations and distribution of palliatives to flood victims and communities affected in farmers/herders crisis among others.

The Forum commended Governor Ododo and the immediate past Governor Yahaya Bello for being magnanimous in payment of N2 billion out of the N4.7 billion owed them as salary arrears after the dissolution of the 21 Local Government Councils following the annulment of the election that brought them on board by the Kogi State High Court, Koton-Karfe, on the 8th of December, 2014 which the judgement of the lower court was subsequently nullified by the Court of Appeal, Abuja.

The Forum made a passionate appeal to Governor Ododo to consider payment of the balance of the N2.7 billion salary arrears and allowances as promised.

Chairman of the Forum, Musa Abdullahi however, congratulated Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and the entire people of the state on the 34th anniversary of the creation of Kogi.

Abdullahi also extended the Forum’s condolences to Governor Ododo over his father’s demise and prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of his father.