Kogi Tribunal Judgement: Party Supporters, Mammoth Crowd Welcome Governor Ododo To Lokoja

• Speaker, RT. Hon. Yusuf Hails The Exemplary Leadership Of Gov. Ododo

By Abubakar Suleman

The Kogi State capital, Lokoja, was on Thursday thrown into a celebration mood as unprecedented crowd of supporters of the state Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, and other residents rejoiced over his victory at the tribunal Judgement in Abuja

Nigerian Trend Online Newspaper observed that the ecstatic residents of the state thronged to Gegu-Koton-karfe-Jamata road to receive Governor Ododo following his affirmation at the tribunal as the duly elected governor of Kogi State.

It was also learnt that in the streets of the state capital, right from Kabawa in lokoja to Lugard House, thousands of supporters of the governor, including some members of the opposition, PDP and ADC celebrated the verdict with singing and dancing on major roads of the Kogi metropolis because member of the opposition also benefited from the recent appointments done by the governor.

While arriving, the Governor was warmly received by the APC stakeholders, government officials in the state led by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Joel Salifu and the speaker of the state Assembly, Rt. Hon. Umar Yusuf as well as other well-wishers of the governor.

Many elated residents of the state came out in their thousands on the streets of the state capital, chanting solidarity songs and dancing, raising placards to express their joy over Ododo’s victory at the court, a development that further testified to his strong popularity and wide acceptance by the people of state.

The arrival of the governor to the state was greeted with a rally held in his honour that lasted for almost two hours in lokoja. The rally took off with a convoy that commenced from felele- Kabawa moving through the streets of the city to Government House.

The governor, his wife, the deputy governor and other senior government officials where in an open jeep waved to thousands of cheering supporters, as the convoy moved through the road up to the old market and terminated at the Government House in Kogi.
House, an elated Governor Ododo expressed gratitude to God for the victory at the tribunal and thanked the people of the state for standing by the mandate that made him the Governor of the state in the November 11, 2023 Governorship election.

Governor Ododo noted that the affirmation of his victory by the governorship election tribunal is a further motivation for his administration to continue to improve on social welfare, security of lives and property, access to free education and quality healthcare, promoting industrialization and agricultural development and ensuring peaceful coexistence among the people of the state.

According to Governor Ododo: “I stand before you today, humbled and grateful, to express my deepest appreciation for your unwavering support. To the vibrant youth and women groups, I thank you for your tireless efforts and dedication to our great state.

“To my commissioners and government appointees, I commend you for your unrelenting commitment to our shared vision.

“Today, we celebrate a significant milestone – our court victory. This triumph is not just mine, but belongs to every Kogite. I assure you that the mandate entrusted upon me will not be taken for granted. As a servant leader, I pledge to serve you to the best of my ability, ensuring that every Kogite has access to quality education, sustainable infrastructure, and security of lives and property.”

The Kogi State Governor also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his steadfast commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which he noted has been instrumental in driving progress and development in Nigeria and Kogi state in particular.

He commended security agencies in the state for their commitment and gallantry in protecting lives and property in all parts of the state, stressing that Kogi state shall remain unsafe for criminal elements wherever they may come from.

The Governor restated his call on opposition parties to join him in advancing the development of the state.

Also, reacting to the outcome of the judgment, the speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Umar Aliyu Yusuf welcomed the triumphant victory at the Court against the opposition SDP and its gubernatorial candidate, Murtala Ajaka, on the victory of the APC in the outcome of the 2023 governorship election in the state.