Kogi
Kogi Gov’ship: Ajaka describes victory handed Ododo as pyrrhic
***Commends counsels for proving over voting during the election
The candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the November 2023 Kogi governorship election, Alhaji Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, has described the victory handed to Governor Usman Ododo by the State’s election petitions tribunal as a pyrrhic.
This is just as he assured his supporters that the verdict of the election petitions tribunal will not stand the test of time.
In a press release he personally signed and made available to newsmen on Monday, Ajaka said the long walk to freedom has just commenced.
He urged his supporters to march forward with hope, courage, and unwavering determination
“Today, I come before you with a heavy heart, but also with a fire of optimism burning in my soul. We have just received the news that our election petition has been unsuccessful at the tribunal. It is a setback, a moment of disappointment, and it is natural for us to feel disheartened.
“But let me tell you this, my fellow Kogites, this is not the end of our journey. This is just a chapter in our fight for justice, truth, the rights of our people and freedom.
“Yes, we may have lost the battle at the tribunal, but the war is far from over. Our stolen mandate, our voice, our power, will not be silenced.
“We will rise from the ashes of this defeat, stronger and more determined than ever before. Today, we must encourage each other to be hopeful, to be relentless in our pursuit of justice, and to keep our faith unwavering,” he said.
Ajaka applauded the brilliance of his team of lawyers at the tribunal. He commended them for establishing the case of over-voting during the election.
“Despite the outcome at the tribunal, I am proud to say that we had a team of brilliant lawyers who did an outstanding job in proving the case of overvoting during the election. Their dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to upholding the principles of democracy have left an indelible mark on our case as we push further.
“Throughout the entire process, our lawyers exhibited the highest level of professionalism and tenacity. They meticulously gathered evidence, scrutinized data, and presented a compelling case to the tribunal, but the tribunal despite agreeing to over-voting struck our case out.
“These lawyers did not fail us. We are very optimistic that they will be vindicated by the end of the petition. I can assure you that this judgment will not stand the test of time.
“Yes, we may have lost the battle at the tribunal, but the war is far from over. Our stolen mandate, our voice, our power, will not be silenced. We will rise from the ashes of this defeat, stronger and more determined than ever before. Today, we must encourage each other to be hopeful, to be relentless in our pursuit of justice, and to keep our faith unwavering.
“It is in times like these that our resilience is tested. We must remember why we embarked on this political journey in the first place. Our dreams, our hopes for a better future for Kogi, for a fairer society, for the upliftment of the marginalized, for the protection of our people, and for the progress of our state – these dreams are not dependent on a single election outcome.
“We must remind ourselves that our fight is not just about winning an election; it is about standing up for what is right, for what is just, and for what we believe in. Our opponents may have won this first round, the battle, but they have not won the war. We will take this fight to the very end, where justice will prevail. We will reclaim our stolen mandate and restore the faith of our people in the democratic process,” he said.
He urged his supporters not to lose sight of the bigger picture as they have been given an opportunity, a platform to make a difference.
“Losing at the tribunal does not make us losers; it makes us fighters, warriors who will not back down in the face of adversity. The violence, aggression and intimidation we faced during the election did not stop us. We will not be deterred by temporary setbacks, because our spirit is unbreakable.”
He called on all Kogites to stay united, stand strong, and continue the fight.
“I want to remind you all that we are not alone in this fight. The people who believe in us, who have placed their trust in us, are counting on us to fulfil our promise. Let us not disappoint them. Let us rise above this setback, and together, let us reclaim our stolen mandate.”
***As new provost of COE Ankpa visits
The Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, has called on the National Examinations Council (NECO) to develop a standardized template to prevent students from registering with abbreviated names, which often leads to complications in official records.
Prof. Usman made the appeal on Thursday when he received Kogi State NECO Coordinator, Mr. Thaddeus Ajabu, who was on a courtesy visit as part of a sensitization campaign against name abbreviations in examination registrations.
The Rector emphasized that Kogi Polytechnic already enforces a strict no-abbreviation policy, except in cases where an affidavit clarifies the full name. He urged NECO to adopt similar measures, ensuring uniformity across educational institutions and preventing future identity-related issues.
“We have seen cases where students face challenges during NYSC mobilization and job applications because of discrepancies in their names. A well-structured system from NECO will go a long way in solving this problem,” he stated.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Thaddeus Ajabu of NECO reaffirmed that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) now rejects candidates with abbreviated names, making it urgent for students and schools to adhere to proper registration guidelines.
“We are engaging key stakeholders to ensure that students use their full names during registration. This will save them from unnecessary difficulties in the future,” Ajabu added.
Ajabu also used the opportunity to call for financial support for underprivileged students, urging institutions and well-meaning individuals to sponsor students who cannot afford NECO registration fees.
In a related development, the newly appointed Provost of Kogi State College of Education (COE), Ankpa, Dr. Paul Femi Fashagba, also visited Prof. Usman, accompanied by the Commissioners for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Dr. Helen Adeniyi, and Special Duties, Hon. Sunday Faleke.
The visit aimed to introduce Dr. Fashagba to the Rector and seek his mentorship in academic administration.
Dr. Adeniyi noted that Prof. Usman, being an indigene of Ankpa, holds a key leadership role in the academic sector and can offer valuable guidance to the new Provost.
Prof. Usman congratulated Dr. Fashagba on his appointment and urged him to build on the achievements of his predecessor, Dr. M.K. Ibrahim, while improving on existing policies to advance the College.
“Leadership is about continuity and progress. The best way to succeed is to take what works, improve it, and introduce innovations that benefit students and staff,” he advised.
The visit further strengthened inter-institutional collaboration in Kogi State, fostering knowledge-sharing and mutual growth in the education sector.
In a decisive move to curb illegal revenue collection, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has banned the unlawful daily tolls imposed by transport unions across Kogi State’s 21 Local Government Areas.
The governor issued the directive on Wednesday in Lokoja during a strategic meeting with transport union officials, security agencies, and the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS).
Represented by Commissioner of Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, Governor Ododo made it clear that his administration will not tolerate personal or group interests that undermine public welfare.
At the heart of the meeting was the 2017 Kogi State Revenue Harmonization Law, which introduced the Infrastructure Maintenance Levy (IML)—a modest daily contribution by commercial vehicle operators aimed at improving state infrastructure.
However, the governor lamented that certain transport union leaders have hijacked the system, diverting funds for personal gain while imposing unauthorized levies on their members.
“Instead of remitting these funds as stipulated, some union officials have resorted to illegal collections, depriving both their members and the government of much-needed revenue,” Ododo stated.
To restore transparency and accountability, the governor ordered security agencies to enforce compliance immediately, warning that disruptions to public order will not be tolerated. He also reaffirmed that:
Union dues must be collected fairly—monthly, bi-annually, or annually—not as a daily burden on transport operators.
New Infrastructure Maintenance Levy rates have been established through stakeholder consultations to ease the financial strain on motorists while ensuring unions’ interests are considered.
Top government officials including State Security Adviser Cdr Jerry Omodara, Commissioner of Transportation Victor Atuluku, and KGIRS Executive Chairman Alhaji Salihu Sule Enehe have been tasked with implementing the new policy seamlessly.
Governor Ododo’s directive is seen as a bold step toward eliminating extortion in the transport sector while securing sustainable revenue for infrastructural development.
The new policy aims to strike a balance between the interests of the state, transport unions, and the general public, ensuring that Kogi’s roads and transport infrastructure receive the necessary funding without overburdening motorists.
With strict enforcement underway, the era of illegal daily toll collection is officially over in Kogi State.
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
The Kogi State House of Assembly has screened and confirmed Dr. Olufemi Bolarin as the Commissioner for the newly established Ministry of Livestock Development.
His confirmation followed a request from Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, which was deliberated and approved during Tuesday’s plenary session.
During the screening, Minority Leader Hon. Ibikunle Idowu (Yagba-West State Constituency) reminded the House that Dr. Bolarin had previously served as Commissioner for Agriculture and had a strong track record in public service. Citing his grassroots political experience and contributions to the state, lawmakers unanimously agreed that he was a perfect fit for the role.
Speaker Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf commended the screening process and urged Dr. Bolarin to deliver on Governor Ododo’s vision for livestock productivity and development in the state.
Dr. Bolarin’s appointment follows Governor Ododo’s January 10 approval of the Ministry of Livestock Development, aimed at boosting livestock farming, enhancing resilience, and improving food security.
Before his nomination, Dr. Bolarin served as the State Project Coordinator of Kogi Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (Kogi L-PRES). Speaking to journalists, he reaffirmed his commitment to attracting investors and partners to the livestock sector while ensuring sustainable productivity and growth.
A respected scholar, Dr. Bolarin is an Associate Professor with a PhD in Agriculture (Animal Production Extension) from the University of Ilorin. He also holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Agricultural Communication from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
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