Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo on Wednesday assured the people of Kabba and the wider Owe community that their support for his administration and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would not be taken for granted, as traditional leaders from the area pledged to back the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the governor.
Ododo spoke at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Lokoja during a solidarity and appreciation visit by the Kabba Community Council of Chiefs. The council represents the 14 families of the Owe Kabba Kingdom.
The governor thanked the chiefs for backing him before they had had enough opportunity to assess his leadership. He said the community had effectively given him an “open blank cheque,” which placed a moral obligation on him to repay their trust with tangible development. He described the projects under way in the area as no more than what the people deserved from government.
Ododo also recalled that the Obaro of Kabba and other traditional rulers had openly identified with him and the APC despite the possible implications for their positions. “If I don’t do what I should do for them, that means I am accursed,” he said.
Responding to requests from the chiefs, the governor directed that attention be given to remodelling and redeveloping the Obaro of Kabba’s Palace. He asked traditional and community leaders to advise the government on the scope of work, and said his administration had carried out similar interventions at traditional institutions elsewhere in the state.
He said the road leading to the palace would be attended to as soon as possible, and that other roads and projects in the administration’s work plan would also be addressed. He added that mobilisation was under way for further progress in the water sector.
Ododo promised to personally convey the chiefs’ declaration of support to President Tinubu. He said their request that he “go and sleep” ahead of the forthcoming election was reassuring, and urged residents to remain united so that projects already started could be sustained.
Speaking for the delegation, High Chief Alegbemi Michael praised what he called the administration’s visible impact in infrastructure, healthcare, water supply, education and political inclusion. He cited the transformation of the Kabba Local Government Secretariat, the Kabba Township Water Project, the upgrade of Kabba General Hospital to a specialist hospital, development at Kogi State University, Kabba, and ongoing drainage works.
“From 2027, there is no vacancy in Lugard House,” Alegbemi said, referring to the governor’s seat. He said Kabba would support the APC from the president down to the local government level. He also appealed to the governor to intervene in rebuilding some of the community’s roads.
Zacheous Dare Michael, executive chairman of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, called the gathering historic. He said it was the first time in more than two decades that the Council of Chiefs across the 14 families had assembled in one place to declare unanimous support for the governor. He cited investments in Kogi State University, erosion-control work, primary healthcare facilities, markets and the remodelling of the local government secretariat.
Matthew Kolawole, a former Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, said the people of Kabba had seen enough evidence of the governor’s commitment and would remain united behind the APC.
Bode Adeyemi, chairman of the Forum of Special Advisers to the Governor, recalled the community’s support for Ododo in the 2023 election. He said the governor had rewarded it with visible projects across Owe land.
The delegation pledged to mobilise heavily for the re-election of Tinubu and Ododo. It expressed confidence that the administration’s development record would translate into stronger electoral support.
