Residents of Ibaji and Bassa local government areas in Kogi State on Saturday commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for prioritising road infrastructure and pledged to back his administration and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
The pledge was made during a courtesy visit to the governor at Government House in Lokoja, where community representatives thanked him for what they described as his responsiveness to their development needs.
Speaking to journalists afterwards, Kogi Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojoma said the people of the two areas had been moved to express gratitude because the governor acted without being pressed by repeated demands.
Ojoma said road infrastructure was the foremost priority for both communities. He said Ododo would flag off construction of a major road project in Ibaji on Monday, Nov 9. The flag-off had earlier been postponed, he said, to allow for adequate preparation and to ensure construction equipment was available for work to begin immediately.
The commissioner said the state government had carried out engineering assessments during the rainy season to establish actual water levels and determine the technical requirements for a road able to withstand the area’s terrain and environmental conditions. He added that the engineering design had been made available months ahead of the flag-off so it could be scrutinised and improved with professional input.
Ojoma described the approach as evidence of a commitment to sustainable development rather than politically motivated promises, and said the project would improve connectivity, economic activity and residents’ wellbeing.
He urged residents of Ibaji and Bassa to reciprocate with continued support, unity and political loyalty as the country approaches the 2027 elections. Recalling the political challenges of 2023, he said he was confident the communities would do more to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ododo and the APC.
“The message to our people is simple. All we want is development, and we have a leader who is providing it without waiting for us to ask,” Ojoma said. “We believe in the leadership of His Excellency and our Supreme Leader, former Governor Yahaya Bello. We are witnessing the development he envisioned, and this time, we are going to do even more.”
Nigeria’s next general elections are scheduled for 2027.
