Kogi: Ododo promises more projects for Kabba

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, has assured the people of Kabba and the wider Owe community of continued government attention, promising that their support for his administration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not be taken for granted.

Ododo gave the assurance on Wednesday at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Lokoja when the Kabba Community Council of Chiefs, representing the 14 families of Owe Kabba Kingdom, paid a solidarity and appreciation visit to him.

The traditional rulers used the occasion to reaffirm their support for the re-election of President Tinubu and Governor Ododo, while commending the administration for what they described as visible development across Kabba and Owe land.

The governor expressed appreciation to the traditional rulers for the confidence they had placed in his leadership, noting that their support came at a time when they had not had enough opportunity to assess his administration.

According to Ododo, the community effectively gave him an “open blank cheque” by supporting his emergence, a gesture he said imposed a significant responsibility on him to reciprocate through meaningful development.

He explained that the projects being executed in Kabba should not be regarded as special favours but as part of the responsibilities of government to the people.

Ododo also commended the Obaro of Kabba and other traditional rulers for openly identifying with him and the APC, saying their courage had further strengthened his resolve to ensure that Kabba received appropriate government attention.

“If I don’t do what I should do for them, that means I am accursed,” the governor said, stressing that his administration would continue to contribute to the development of the community.

Responding to requests from the chiefs, Ododo directed that the Obaro of Kabba Palace be remodelled and redeveloped, asking the traditional institution and community leaders to guide the government on the appropriate scope of the project.

He said his administration had already undertaken similar interventions involving traditional institutions in other parts of the state and was prepared to extend such initiatives to Kabba.

The governor also promised that the road leading to the Obaro’s Palace would receive attention as soon as possible, while other roads and projects already contained in the government’s development plan would be addressed.

He further disclosed that efforts were ongoing to improve water supply in the area, assuring residents that additional progress would be recorded as mobilisation for the projects continued.

Ododo thanked the chiefs for uniting across the 14 families to declare their support for President Tinubu and the APC, promising to personally convey their message to the President.

He also described as reassuring the chiefs’ declaration that he should “go and sleep” ahead of the forthcoming elections, urging the people to remain united and sustain their support for the administration.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, High Chief Alegbemi Michael commended Governor Ododo for what he described as the administration’s positive impact on Kabba in infrastructure, healthcare, water supply, education and political inclusion.

He specifically cited the transformation of the Kabba-Bunu Local Government Secretariat, Kabba Township Water Project, upgrading of Kabba General Hospital to a specialist hospital, infrastructural development at Kogi State University, Kabba, and ongoing drainage projects.

Alegbemi said the projects had gone beyond government statistics to become tangible developments affecting the lives of residents.

He declared the community’s unity behind Governor Ododo and the APC, saying, “From 2027, there is no vacancy in Lugard House.”

He assured that Kabba would mobilise support for the APC from President Tinubu down to the local government level, while appealing to the governor to intervene in the reconstruction of some critical roads in the community.

Earlier, the Executive Chairman of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Hon. Barr. Zacheous Dare Michael, described the gathering as historic, saying it was the first time in more than two decades that the Council of Chiefs representing the 14 Owe families had come together at one location to unanimously declare support for the governor.

He highlighted investments in Kogi State University, erosion-control projects, primary healthcare facilities, markets and the remodelling of the Kabba-Bunu Local Government Secretariat as evidence of the administration’s commitment to the area.

Former Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Matthew Kolawole, also said the people of Kabba had witnessed sufficient evidence of Governor Ododo’s commitment to their development and would remain united behind the APC.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Forum of Special Advisers to the Governor, Hon. Bode Adeyemi, recalled the community’s support for Ododo during the 2023 election, saying the governor had responded with visible projects across Owe land.

The delegation consequently pledged to mobilise massive support for the re-election of President Tinubu and Governor Ododo, expressing confidence that the administration’s development efforts would translate into stronger electoral backing.