Dr. Tom Ohikere is a two time former commissioner for information in Kogi State and a Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and in this interview he bared his mind on the state of affairs in Kogi state and of the evolving 2027 politics.
How would you assess the performance of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo since he assumed office, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, security, healthcare, education and the economy of Kogi State?
The Ododo administration has prioritized continuity and stability. In that regard, there has been relative peace in Kogi State compared to our neighbors, and the regularity of salary payments has improved. These are commendable.
However, in terms of development, there are significant gaps.
Infrastructure: Road projects are ongoing but at a slow pace.
In healthcare, our Primary Health Centres still lack essential drugs and adequate personnel. Looking at Education: Investment in teacher training and school infrastructure remains insufficient, especially in rural areas.
In the economy: The rising cost of food and transportation is severely affecting households, and the state’s response has largely been limited to palliatives.
Most critically, water supply has collapsed. The Greater Lokoja Water Works, located in Lokoja, the state capital in Kogi West, was built by the Ibrahim Idris administration and was functional until this government came on board. It has now been abandoned.
In Kogi Central, despite the presence of Ekuku Dam, Okene Water Works, and Osara Dam, the people still do not have access to potable water. This is a fundamental failure.
The Ododo administration has presented itself as continuing and consolidating the achievements of the previous administration. From your assessment, what has the government done well, and where has it fallen short?
Continuity is valuable when it leads to improvement. The government has done well to maintain peace and ensure more consistent payment of salaries.
Where it has fallen short is in delivery and innovation. Consolidation should not mean repetition of mistakes. The abandonment of key projects, such as the Greater Lokoja Water Works, and the failure to provide water in Kogi Central, show a lack of commitment to completing what was started.
Kogi people need more than continuity. They need transformation in water, health, education, and job creation.
What is your assessment of the state government’s handling of workers’ welfare, salaries, pensions and other issues affecting civil servants and pensioners in Kogi State?
There has been improvement in the payment of salaries, and that deserves recognition. It has brought some relief to civil servants.
However, the issue of pension arrears and gratuity remains unresolved. Many of our senior citizens are still owed and are suffering as a result.
ADC Position: We will implement a “Workers First Policy.” This includes clearing pension backlogs in phases, introducing health insurance for workers and pensioners, and improving workplace conditions. Workers deserve dignity beyond just a salary.
There have been concerns about the rising cost of living and economic hardship. How well do you think the Ododo administration has responded to the economic difficulties facing ordinary people in Kogi State?
The response so far has been inadequate. Palliatives are not a sustainable policy.
With national fuel prices at ₦1000 and food inflation at over 40%, Kogi families are under immense pressure. The state needs to do more in three areas: Number one is Agriculture: Invest in mechanized farming and storage to ensure food security.
Number two is transport: Provide subsidies for students and workers.
Third is SMEs: Offer real grants and single-digit loans to small businesses.
Additionally, the failure to provide potable water, the most basic necessity, in both Lokoja and Kogi Central, shows that the administration has not matched its priorities with the real needs of the people.
As an opposition figure, what specific policies or decisions of the Ododo administration do you disagree with, and what alternatives would your party, the ADC, propose?
We have three major areas of disagreement: Number one is abandoned projects. The abandonment of the Greater Lokoja Water Works and the neglect of water infrastructure in Kogi Central.
ADC Alternative: The Burden of Completion Principle. We will audit all abandoned projects and set a two-year timeline to complete them. Water is a right, not a privilege.
Secondly, the water crisis: No concrete plan to provide potable water despite existing dams and water works.
ADC Alternative: Immediate rehabilitation of Greater Lokoja Water Works, Ekuku Dam, Okene Water Works, and Osara Dam to serve the people.
Thirdly, Power rotation and equity: Kogi East has produced governors for 17 years. Kogi Central for 12 years. Kogi West has had 0 years.
ADC Alternative: For fairness, unity, and justice, the governorship in 2027 must go to Kogi West. This is how we build trust and a sense of belonging in our state.
Turning to the federal level, how would you assess President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration more than three years into its tenure, especially with regard to the economy, fuel prices, food security, employment and infrastructure?
The Tinubu administration has failed Nigerians on the issues that matter most. Number one is the economy: National debt has risen from ₦77 trillion in 2023 to over ₦142 trillion. Inflation, especially food inflation at 40.87%, is crippling households. The Naira has depreciated from ₦460 to over ₦1600 to the dollar. Second is fuel prices: Petrol has moved from ₦185 in May 2023 to ₦1000 today. The subsidy was removed without any social cushion, and Nigerians are bearing the full burden. Thirdly, food security: The price of a bag of rice has moved from ₦35,000 to ₦90,000. Over 133 million Nigerians are multidimensionally poor. Hunger is now a national crisis. And fourthly is employment: Youth unemployment is above 33%. Companies are shutting down and relocating. There is no clear jobs plan.
Number five is infrastructure: While some projects exist, what is the value of infrastructureg when citizens are too poor to afford transportation or basic goods?
After three years, the results are clear: hardship.
President Tinubu’s government says its reforms, including the removal of the fuel subsidy and changes in the foreign exchange system, are necessary to rebuild the economy. Do you believe Nigerians are beginning to see the benefits of these reforms?
No, Nigerians are not seeing benefits. They are experiencing pain.
A reform that increases poverty, closes businesses, and makes food unaffordable is not a reform. It is a policy failure.
You do not remove subsidies before fixing refineries. You do not float the Naira before boosting local production. The administration put the pain first and promised gains later. That is not compassionate governance, and it is not working.
The ADC is positioning itself as a major opposition platform ahead of the 2027 elections. What does the party believe it can offer Nigerians that the APC under President Tinubu has failed to provide?
The ADC offers Rules Before Power. While APC offers structure and PDP offers history, ADC offers The Orange Book – our Code of Conduct and Governance Manual.
1. Burden of Completion: We will finish what we start. No abandoned projects.
2. Code of Ethics: Zero tolerance for corruption. Full transparency and accountability.
3. Economic Plan: Food security first, job creation second, and real support for SMEs and farmers.
4. Equity: Commitment to fairness and power rotation to ensure all regions are carried along.
5. Accountability: The Leader’s Oath. Public officials will serve the people, not themselves.
Nigerians are tired of promises. ADC is offering principles, discipline, and a plan.
In Kogi State, what do you think will determine voters’ choices in 2027, and does the ADC have the political structure and credible candidates capable of challenging the APC?
The 2027 election in Kogi State will be determined by four things: Water, Food, Jobs, and Fairness.
People in Lokoja are asking, “Why is our water tap dry?”
People in Kogi Central are asking, “Why do we have three dams and no water?”
People across the state are asking, “17 years for East, 12 years for Central, 0 years for West. When is our turn?”
ADC is building structure in all 21 Local Government Areas. We have credible, competent sons and daughters of Kogi State, including from Kogi West, who are ready to serve. With the pain in the land and our clear agenda, ADC will be a major force in 2027.
Finally, if you were to give both the Ododo administration and the Tinubu administration a score out of 10 based on their overall performance, what scores would you give them and why?
I would score Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo 4/10. The reason is, the administration deserves credit for maintaining security and ensuring regular payment of salaries. However, it scores low because: firstly, it abandoned the Greater Lokoja Water Works in the state capital. Secondly, it has failed to provide potable water in Kogi Central despite existing infrastructure. Thirdly It has not provided bold solutions to economic hardship and Fourthly It has ignored the issue of equity and power rotation. After 29 years, it is time for Kogi West to produce the governor in 2027.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu: 3/10. The reason is that three years into this administration, the economy has worsened. Debt has doubled, food is unaffordable, jobs are disappearing, and the cost of living is at an all-time high. These reforms have brought hardship without hope. Nigeria deserves better leadership.
Kogi State and Nigeria need a new direction. That direction is the African Democratic Congress.