Usman Ododo has officially been sworn in as the Governor of Kogi State, succeeding Yahaya Bello, who completed his second term.
The inauguration ceremony, held in Lokoja on Saturday at approximately 2:24 pm, saw Ododo taking the oath of office alongside Salifu Joel Oyibo, who was sworn in as the deputy governor.
Ododo’s ascension to the governorship makes him the 5th Executive Governor of Kogi state.
Notable attendees at the event included Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Governor Yahaya Bello, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje.
Expressing a commitment to unity, Governor Ododo, in his address, acknowledged the presence of his political rival, Leke Abejide, emphasizing the end of bitter politics.
He pledged to lead Kogi State as a sub-national model for key federal programs, focusing on food security, poverty eradication, job creation, access to capital, rule of law, anti-corruption efforts, and overall economic growth tailored to the state’s realities.
Ododo’s victory in the November 11th, 2023 election was declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), securing 446,237 votes and surpassing his closest rival, Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 46,362 votes in the election.