Deputy Governorship Candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2023 Kogi gubernatorial elections, Dr Omede Idris, says the current administration in the state has proven its commitment to good governance.
Speaking with newsmen on Saturday, Dr. Omede noted that today made it exactly one year after the November 16, 2023 election that produced Governor Usman Ododo, whom he said has shown capacity for good leadership.
Dr Omede Idris, who also was past Presidents of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), commended the Governor Ododo-led administration for its efforts in ensuring security of lives and property, improved welfare for the state workforce and infrastructure development of existing, and uncompleted projects.
He, however, counseled Governor Ododo to address and touch some uncompleted projects that dates as far back as 2016.
“Some of these are hospital projects of Prince Abubakar Audu Teaching hospital, Anyigba; General Hospitals at Odu Ogboyaga and Ichekke; Model Cottage Hospitals at Ofugo, Ankpa, Ihima, and Girinya.
“Other uncompleted projects are the Ajagwumu – Odu- Okete – Dekina road, the major water project in Odu Ofugo, and that of Lokoja water works. Also, there is the need to rebuild or renovate the old government established secondary school in Odu community at Ogboyaga, formerly known as Government Technical College, Odu.
“A government that meets the needs assessment of her people will be applauded, irrespective of party differences by objective and rational critics. It is our call on the state as it has been on broad knowledge of the state’s needs,” he said.
Dr Omede Idris said the government of Governor Usman Ododo began and started on broad footing and background since his inauguration in January 2024, adding that the development is encouraging.
He urged the Governor and government to sustain the traction with sincerity of purpose and not allow for distraction.
The medical doctor called on all elected and appointed officers at local, state and federal levels to show objectivity, honesty, commitment, fairness and just in their relationship with the state government and governor, amongst themselves and their communities for the common good of the people and by extension the state.
“Kogi state needs cohesion and rapid progress under convivial environment, as we observe, see and admire in other states. Kogi state has all the attributes and materials for greatness. It is the people and our practical conviction that can make that happen.
“The time is tickling, let’s make it happen and cooperate with government in power. As a people, our sincerity, unbiased patriotism and genuine recourse to developmental strands should propel us with purposeful unity. Let us believe and act on the premise of being created for a purpose of peace, understanding and development within the same geographical location, despite our diversities and variability. Kogi state is for us all to build and bequeath the credit to ourselves and future generations,” he added.
Speaking on his personal experience at the polls last year, Dr. Omede Idris said live goes on despite the outcome.
“It is exactly a year today, that Kogi state Governorship election held. On16th November 2023, Kogites went to the polls in which the present Governor, H.E Ahmed Usman Ododo was returned elected.
“The build up to the election like other elections and events were historic and memorable. This included making of new friends, new political relationship, fortifying old relationships, both personal and politics on mutual and acceptable notes, confidence building on the preferred candidates and in some instances break up as a result of political differences. Horse trading, political maneuvering, blackmail and deception had various intersections. At the end of it all, it was either hopes were dashed or upheld. We lost, no regrets as their can be only a winner to the contest. Therefore, my Governorship candidate, Hon Elder Leke Abejide had no conflict in conceding to the announced winner and party.
“Life goes on despite the outcome. New grounds were established with new and awesome relationships in politics, personal and private lives. Some old relationships were cut off as a result of clearly defined inconsistencies and backstab. Some new relationships worth keeping were birthed and others disposed of as plague. Reality of life, genuineness of persons beyond fiction stared clearly before us, sometimes devoid of objectivity, rationality, altruism, all in the name of politics depending on one’s watching prism. In all this, it’s not really a game of survival of the fittest, but that of the smartest, cruelest and deep pocket, rather than that of expected or expectant delivery.
“At the end, the practical consideration, is giving up and giving rooms for rule of law in line with the constitution of the nation. This we did and craved for good leadership and governance.”
