The people of Kogi State have thrown their weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, endorsing them for a second term in office ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The endorsement came during a massive rally organized by All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in the state, led by Senator Smart Adeyemi, and attended by key political figures, party loyalists, and thousands of supporters.
Former Kogi State Governor and APC leader, Yahaya Bello, formally moved the motion to endorse President Tinubu for a second term, citing his enduring commitment to democracy and national development.
“President Tinubu laid down his life for democracy in Nigeria, and has consistently demonstrated vision, leadership, and inclusiveness,” Bello said.
The motion was seconded by Senator Smart Adeyemi, chairman of the rally’s organising committee.
In a separate motion, Bello also moved for the endorsement of Governor Ododo for re-election in 2027.
This was seconded by the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf.
Bello outlined three key reasons behind the endorsement of President Tinubu:
– Dedication to democracy; He praised Tinubu’s decades-long commitment to democratic governance.
– Mentorship and inclusive leadership; Tinubu was lauded as a “humanist and visionary” who empowered younger leaders, including those in Kogi.
– Founding the APC; Bello emphasized Tinubu’s role in building the APC into a dominant political force in Nigeria and across Africa.
“Above all, Tinubu was created with a special grace of God. No one can fight that grace and succeed,” Bello declared, urging Nigerians to rally behind the President.
Several high-ranking APC figures in Kogi echoed support for the joint endorsement, including Alhaji Abdullahi Bello, APC State Chairman, Hon. Halims Abdullahi, Member, House of Representatives, Hajiya Salamatu Baiwa, Former APC National Women Leader, Hajiya Halima Alfa, Former Commissioner, Prince Matthew Kolawole, Former Speaker, Kogi House of Assembly
They described both Tinubu and Ododo as leaders committed to progress, development, and national unity.
In his welcome remarks, Senator Smart Adeyemi described the event as a turning point in the state’s political history.
“Today’s endorsement rally is proof that APC in Kogi is stronger than ever. We are not just endorsing our President and Governor; we are reaffirming our readiness to deliver in 2027,” he said.
He praised Tinubu’s administration for policies geared toward job creation, economic diversification, poverty reduction, student loans, and social security.
“While the opposition squanders national assets, Tinubu and Ododo are building for the masses,” Adeyemi stated.
In his response, Governor Ododo thanked the people of Kogi for their support and hailed President Tinubu for providing a strong governance model.
“Kogi is replicating the good governance template of President Tinubu. Our development efforts are already a campaign for him,” he said.
Ododo assured citizens of continued progress under his leadership, pledging not to betray the trust reposed in him.
