By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh, Government House, Lokoja
In a strong political statement that reveals Kogi State’s growing alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Sixth Assembly of the Kogi State House of Assembly has unanimously endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for second terms in office, setting a clear tone for 2027.
The historic endorsement was announced in Lokoja during a courtesy visit by members of the Sixth Assembly to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo at the Government House. The delegation, led by the Chairman, Umar Ahmed Imam, held a closed-door meeting with the Governor before briefing journalists on the outcome of their engagement.
Speaking after the meeting, Governor Ododo said the visit was not only to appreciate God Almighty for life and leadership but also to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as purposeful and impactful governance, with visible benefits already being felt in Kogi State.
According to the Governor, the lawmakers expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for approving the establishment of Free Trade Zones in Kogi State, a move he said strategically positions the state as an emerging economic hub. Ododo noted that Kogi’s central location and vast natural endowments place it at the heart of Nigeria’s industrial and commercial expansion under the Tinubu administration.
The Governor further highlighted the President’s approval for the establishment of an airport in Kogi State, describing it as a landmark decision that aligns with the state’s historical and economic significance. He recalled that Kogi is the location where the first aircraft landed in Nigeria and serves as a vital gateway linking the North and the South, bordering ten states including the Federal Capital Territory.
“For a state with such strategic importance, the absence of an airport would have remained a major setback. This approval by President Tinubu is a clear demonstration of his understanding of Kogi’s role in national development,” Ododo said.
He added that with over thirty-two solid mineral resources in commercial quantities, the proposed airport would unlock enormous economic opportunities, attract investors, create jobs and further integrate Kogi into the national and global economy.
Governor Ododo disclosed that the lawmakers formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term and mandated him to convey their unflinching support to the President, stressing that Kogi is firmly on course to deliver massive votes for Tinubu come 2027.
He also revealed that the Assembly expressed confidence in his leadership, describing him as energetic, focused and capable, and urged him to continue serving the people of Kogi State beyond his current tenure.
In his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Hon. Umar Ahmed Imam, said the visit was a demonstration of solidarity with the Governor and a formal endorsement of both Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for second terms in office.
He affirmed that the Sixth Assembly fully supports the policies and programmes of the Tinubu-led Federal Government and the Ododo administration in Kogi State, noting that their initiatives are already translating into improved welfare, infrastructure development and economic prospects for the people.
With the endorsement from the Kogi Sixth Assembly, political observers say the state has sent a clear signal ahead of 2027: Kogi is solidly positioned as a stronghold for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, driven by tangible federal presence, strategic investments and a united political leadership determined to sustain the current development trajectory.