2027: Forum of Ex-political appointees 21 LGAd (2013-2016) backs Gov Ododo 2nd term bid
….Appeal to Gov Ododo to pay their outstanding money owned during ex-Gov Wada’s era
….Condole Gov, Kogi People over father’s demise
By Yahaya Idris, Lokoja
As 2027 elections coming closer politicians have started strategizing and aligning interest with whom they will support in the next political dispensation. In view of this, the former political office holders under the Governor Ichala Wada administration from 2023 – 2016 has come together to work for the success of the present administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo
This was disclosed by the leader of the group, Hon. Musa Abdullahi A
at a Press Conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalistd, NUJ, Secretariat Lokoja, on Wednesday.
The group stated that with the good work Governor Ododo has done earned their support and hence their unprecedented alignment
History and Formation of the Forum: The Forum was formed over 11 years ago in response to the unjust dissolution of the Kogi State local councils.
On December 8, 2014, the Kogi State High Court in Koton-karfe annulled the elections of all 21 LGC Chairmen, 21 Vice Chairmen, 239 Councillors, and effectively ended the appointments of LG Secretaries, Supervisory Councillors, and Special Advisers.
The then Executive Governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Ichala Wada, obeyed the court judgment and dissolved the councils.
Dissatisfied with the High Court’s decision, the Forum filed an appeal in the Court of Appeals in Abuja.
On October 23, 2015, the Court of Appeals unanimously overturned the lower court ruling, declaring it null and void, thereby ordering the immediate reinstatement of the Forum.
When the Forum’s tenure ended on May 6, 2016, the then Executive Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, dissolved the council but promised to pay arrears of salaries and allowances.
Governor Yahaya Bello paid ₦2 billion in three tranches out of the total ₦4.7 billion owed.
The third tranche was facilitated by the current Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, who promised to clear the balance if he became governor.
Governor Bello handed the Forum over to the current governor, advising him to clear the remaining arrears.
Since 2015, the Forum members have remained active in Kogi politics and beyond.
Vote of Confidence on His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, Executive Governor of Kogi State
After a meticulous review of the performance of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, within the short time he has served as the Executive Governor of Kogi State, the forum hereby expresses its profound confidence in his leadership. This decision is premised on the following outstanding achievements:
Provision of vehicles, funding, and gadgets to security agencies, enhancing security operations across the state.
Full and prompt payment of pensions, salaries, and leave bonuses to civil servants, ensuring financial stability for government workers.
Payment of WAEC and NECO examination fees for all public school students in Kogi State, coupled with the construction and renovation of schools and an educational revolution that has improved literacy rates, advanced early childhood education, promoted ICT skill development, and enhanced the quality of education from basic to tertiary levels.
Reforms in traditional institutions and improved welfare for traditional rulers, strengthening cultural governance.
Construction and rehabilitation of critical road infrastructure, improving connectivity and transportation.
Delivery of quality healthcare, particularly the establishment of a State Health Insurance Scheme for civil servants, boosting healthcare access and affordability.
Comprehensive women and youth empowerment initiatives, fostering social inclusion and economic opportunities.
Rural electrification projects illuminating far-flung communities and improving quality of life.
Development of sports programs, encouraging youth participation and talent development.
Completion of projects initiated by past administrations, ensuring continuity and maximization of state investments.
Distribution of palliatives to flood victims and communities affected by communal, farmers, and herders’ crises, demonstrating compassionate governance.
Indeed, the people of Kogi State are immensely proud of the unprecedented achievements of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
In recognition of his visionary leadership acumen and unwavering commitment to human capital and infrastructural development, the Forum has unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the Governor.
Condolence Message on the Passing of Alhaji Momoh Sanni Ahmed Ododo
The Forum received the news of the passing of the father of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Momoh Sanni Ahmed Ododo, with deep shock and sorrow.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Governor, the bereaved families, the Government, and the people of Kogi State during this difficult time. We share in your grief and pray that Almighty Allah forgive any shortcomings of the departed soul and grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus.”
May the family and the entire Kogi State find strength and solace in this trying moment.
“We come before you with heartfelt respect and deep faith in your leadership, recognizing you as a man of God and the true messiah of the people of Kogi State. We acknowledge your unwavering commitment to the welfare of the people and your history of fulfilling promises that bring hope and joy to many.”
“Today, we earnestly appeal for your compassionate intervention to pay the outstanding balance of Two Billion and Seven Hundred Million Naira (₦2,700,000,000.00) due to us as arrears of our salaries and allowances. This is a debt long overdue, and we humbly request that you fulfill this commitment, as you have magnanimous done for other sections of Kogi State.”
“Your Excellency, we have confidence in your integrity and ability to honor this promise because you are indeed a man of your word. This call for assistance has become urgent as many of our members are currently battling illness, hunger, and the inability to meet their financial obligations. The weight of these burdens is growing heavier by the day, and we trust that Almighty God will move through you to wipe away our tears and restore hope to our lives.”
“As we mark the 34th anniversary of the creation of our beloved Kogi State, the Forum wishes to congratulate Your Excellency and all citizens of the state. May Almighty God continue to grant you divine wisdom and strength to steer the affairs of this great state toward enviable heights of progress and prosperity.”
“We also take this opportunity to express our eternal gratitude to the immediate past Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for his efforts in advancing our cause. We will keep him in our prayers always.”
“Finally, we reiterate our unflinching, unalloyed, and unwavering support for your administration and our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). We pledge to stand by Your Excellency at all times—come rain or shine—as we journey together towards a brighter future.”
Below is the Press Statement
BEING A PRESS STATEMENT TO NOTIFYYOU ON THE VOTE OF CONFIDENCE PASSED BY THE FORUM OF EX-POLITICAL OFFICE HOLDERS OF THE 21 LOCAL GOVERNMENT (2013-2016 Session ) AT THE END OF THE MEETING HELD ON THE 27TH OF AUGUST, 2025. AT NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALIST OFFICE LOKOJA, KOGI STATE
Gentlemen of the Press
Distinguished Ladies and gentlemen
BRIEF BACKGROUND
We of the Forum of Ex-Political office holders of the 21 Local Government are here to pass a vote of confidence on the people’s Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi state.
The Forum has been in formation for over eleven (11) years. We came into being to fight for unjust dissolution of the council by the Kogi state High Court sitting in Kotonfarfe, on the 8th of December,2014 which annulled the election of all the 21 LG Chairmen, 21 vice Chairmen, 239 councillors and by extension putting an end to the appointments of 21 LG Secretaries, 105 Supervisory Councillors, 105 Special Advisers among others. The then Executive Governor of Kogi state, Captain Idris Ichala Wada in obeying the High Court judgment went ahead to dissolve the council.
Not satisfied with the Judgment, the forum filed an appeal in the Court of Appeals Abuja after frantic efforts to get a stay of execution failed. The Forum went through turbulent and tortuous time using our energy and resources pursuing the case and as God will have it, on the 23rd October (Friday) 2015, the court of appeals delivered a well thought judgement setting aside the judgment of the lower court and unanimously held that the judge erred in his judgement and declared the lower court judgment as null and void and of no effect, and thereby ordered for our immediate reinstatement.
On the 6th of May 2016 when our tenure elapsed, the then Executive Governor of Kogi state, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello dissolved the council and promised to pay arrears of our salaries and allowances. As a man of his words, he was able to pay two billion Naira(2b) in three (3 ) trances out of the Four Billion and seven Hundred Million Naira(4.7b) owed us.
We made bold to say that the third (3rd) tranche of the payment was facilitated by His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, The current executive Governor of kogi state and promised to clear the balance if God ordained him to become the Governor. We will remain eternally grateful for that crucial role.
His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello therefore handed over the Forum to the incumbent Governor and advised him to clear the arrears during his tenure. It might interest you to know that the group has been together since 2015 and our members have been participating actively in Kogi politics and even beyond.
particularly in APC in all previous general elections.
1.VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
After a meticulous study of the Governor’s performance within the short term he has spent in office, the forum wishes to pass a vote of confidence on His Excellency,, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo the Executive Governor of Kogi state based on the following reasons:-
1. Provision of vehicles, fund and gadgets to security agents
2. Full and prompt payment of pension, salaries and leave bonuses to civil servants
3.WAEC /NECO payments for all public schools students in kogi state. uilding and renovationof schools as well as educational revolution that is improving literally rate, advancement of early child education, advancing ICT skills and enhancing the quality of education from basic to tertiary level
4. Traditional institution reforms and welfare of Traditional rulers
5. Road construction and rehabilitation
6. Quality healthcare delivery especially the establishment of state health insurance scheme for civil servants
7. Women and Youth Empowerment
8. Rural electrification
9. Sports development
10. Completion of projects initiated by past administration
11. Distribution of parliative to flood victims and communities affected by communal, farmers and herder crisis
Indeed the people of kogi state are so proud of the unprecedented achievements of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
Sequel to the aforementioned achievements above among others, the Forum has graciously passed a vote of confidence on the Governor in recognition of his visionary Leadership acumen and unwavering commitment to human, capital and infrastructural development of kogi state.
2. CONDOLENCE MESSAGE
The Forum received the news of the passing of the father of the Governor, Alhaji Momoh Sanni Ahmed Ododo with rude shock.
We commiserate with the Governor , the bereaved families, the Government and people of Kogi State over the death of the patriarch. the Governor, Alhaji. We share in your grief and pray that Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him AlJannatul Firdaus
4. A PASSIONATE APPEAL
We want to passionately appeal to the Governor who is a man of God and the messiah of the people of kogi state to pay the Two Billion and seven Hundred Million Naira(#2,700,000,000.00) balance of arrears of our salaries and allowances as promised by putting smile on our faces as he has done to other sections of kogi state.
We are confident in his ability to fulfill the promise because he is a man of his words .
This call became necessary based on the fact that majority of our members are suffering from Illness, hungry and can no longer pay their bills. We are very optimistic that Almighty God will use His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, The executive Governor of kogi state to wipe away our tears.
5. CONCLUSION
The Forum wishes to congratulate His Excellency, the Executive Governor of kogi state, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo and the entire of kogi on the 34th anniversary of the creation of the state. May Almighty God give the governor more wisdom to pilot the affairs of the state to an enviable heights.
We will forever remain grateful to the immediate past Governor of Kogi state, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello for all he has done for us. We will always remember him in our prayers.
We want to once again pledge our unalloyed and unwavering support to the administration of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo and our great party APC.
We will stand by the Governor at all times, come rain or shine
Thank you all
Hon. Musa Abdullahi A.
Chairman
07034786303
Hon. Muhammed Idris Omale
Secretary
07031166205
