Mixed feelings in Kogi as Bello winds down, politicians woo Ododo
As the countdown to the January 27 hand-over date begins, activities at the Lugard House seat of the state government is gradually winding down.
From very reliable sources that already, the kitchen cabinet members as well as the state executive council have been dissolved with the governor retaining just five members considered to be very key to the running of government business until Saturday.
The retained members of the cabinet are the Information Commissioner, Kingsley Fanwo; Finance Commissioner, Ashiwaju Idris; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Engineer Bashir Gegu; the Commissioner for Solid minerals, Deedat Ozigi; and the Deputy Chief of Staff, Sunday Faleke.
The governor also retained his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Mohammed, and the Senior Special Assistant SSA, Print, Michael Ozigi.
Also, the Transition Programme Committe under the Chairmanship of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashade Arike Ayoade, has been constituted to midwife the transition process.
The Muhammadu Buhari Civil Cenre, Lokoja, venue of the handover ceremony, gives a picture of a totally new arena.
The venue now wears a totally bright new look while communication gadgets worth millions of naira and other electricity equipment were seen being tested on a daily basis since last Friday.
Our Correspondent who visited the Lugard House seat of the Kogi State Government in Lokoja reports that there were signs of apprehension among the staff following the drastic reduction in the number of workers in many of the offices in the Government House.
One of the appointees who seeks anonymity and whose name was among those relieved of their political assignments last week, by the governor, when he dissolved his cabinet, lamented that he, like others, do not know their fate.
“I thought His Excellency will leave my name among those retained till Saturday when new appointees will be announced, but up till now, i have not heard anything either from the outgoing governor or the Governor-elect.”
Speaking on his expectations for the incoming Governor, a Lokoja based political commentator, Abubarkar Michael said he should try to unite the state by addressing the differences as exposed in the last election when people voted based on ethnic sentiment.
“The incoming governor should also engage in sharing the resources of the state equitably,” he added.
Continuing, he stressed, “The government of Ododo should try to address the economy of the state. Right now, Kogi is adjudged as one of the most expensive states in the country with a food inflation rate at 35 per cent.
“He should take immediate steps to reverse this trend before it gets out of hand, just as he needs to urgently address the issue of power devolution. He should look at the issue of infrastructure, which will give impetus to the foundation laid by outgoing Governor Bello, especially in the area of education,” Michael added.
Meanwhile the state Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdulahi Bello, aka Dollar in an earlier interview had expressed optimism about the ability of the Governor-Elect elect, Ahmed Usman Ododo to build on the achievements of Governor Bello.
He described Ododo as “a humble man, a good listener, an administrator par excellence and a team player.
“Ododo’s humility is second to none, Ododo is a good listener, Ododo is a team player, Ododo is an administrator par excellence, Ododo has genuine love for his subordinates that work with him and under him”, Bello had hailed and spoken of Ododo
According to him, “Such a person will do well and let me tell you one thing, If you have the opportunity of working closely with the governor, my boss, my principal, he is an angel in human skin who deserves all the accolades I have earlier given to Ododo”
Bello maintained that he had no doubt whatsoever that Ododo would “serve the state very well, having learnt the art of good governance from his boss, Alhaji Yayaha Bello.”
