By Muslimat Itopa
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, has charged political appointees in the state to return to their wards and communities to intensify grassroots mobilisation for President Bola Tinubu and candidates of the All Progressives Congress.
Governor Ododo gave the charge on Tuesday at the Government House, Lokoja, during a meeting with political appointees, which he described as an opportunity to assess the affairs of the state, strengthen unity within the party and develop strategies for future electoral success.
The governor thanked the people of the state and members of his cabinet for the mandate to lead the state, noting that the responsibility requires collective effort and sacrifice.
He urged the appointees to put aside ethnic, religious and personal differences and work together as one family in the interest of the state.
Ododo cautioned appointees against relying on social media as a substitute for grassroots engagement, stressing that elections are won at polling units, wards and local government areas, not on social media platforms.
He urged them to adopt new strategies, consult widely and build stronger relationships with people at the grassroots.
According to him, the party’s strength will depend largely on the ability of its leaders and appointees to engage directly with the electorate and explain the achievements of the administration.
He said political office holders must not become “noise makers” on social media while neglecting their communities and polling units.
The governor also warned against secret meetings and what he described as “pull-down syndrome,” urging party members to stop working against one another.
He called for teamwork among political appointees, saying commissioners and other office holders must provide leadership and ensure that the party remains united from the local government level to the polling units.
Ododo directed the appointees to return to their respective local government areas and wards, consult with stakeholders and identify political leaders who can effectively coordinate the party’s activities at the grassroots.
He expressed concern over the poor visibility of APC campaign billboards across the state and gave appointees a two-month ultimatum to improve the party’s visibility by erecting billboards in strategic locations.
The governor commended appointees who had remained committed to the administration and lauded women in the party, whom he described as particularly active in reaching out to the people.
He urged all appointees to continue engaging the electorate and responding appropriately to concerns raised by citizens, rather than being discouraged by allegations and criticisms on social media.
Ododo assured the people that his administration would continue to deliver dividends of democracy across the state, stressing that he would not play politics with their lives and welfare.
On infrastructure, he disclosed that some roads in the state would be redesigned and completed as part of his administration’s commitment to improving connectivity and economic activities.
He listed the roads as Bunu Road, Ibaji Road, Ankpa-Abejukolo Road and Bassa-Sheria Road, assuring that work on the projects would be accelerated and completed once the rains subside.
Earlier, Deputy Governor, Joel Salifu, commended the governor for convening the meeting, describing it as an opportunity for members of the administration and the party to speak frankly about their challenges and chart a new course for greater unity.
The Secretary to the State Government, Folashade Ayoade, appealed to the appointees to visit their homes, interact with constituents and ensure that the impact of government policies and programmes is felt at the grassroots.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abdulahi Bello, said the meeting was necessary to reflect on the affairs of the state and the APC, particularly on strategies for winning future elections.
Representatives of the three senatorial districts – Alfred Bello (Kogi West), Ahovi Ibrahim (Kogi Central) and Ahmed Ahmed (Kogi East) – pledged to justify the confidence reposed in them through their appointments.
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