A PRESS STATEMENT DELIVERED BY RT. HON. UMAR AHMED IMAM, FORMER SPEAKER, KOGI STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY AND LEADER APC , LOKOJA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA ON THE ENDORSEMENT OF GOVERNOR AHMED USMAN ODODO TO COMPLETE HIS SECOND TERM AS EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF KOGI STATE, ON SATURDAY 24TH OCTOBER,2026 AT THE NUJ PRESS CENTER, LOKOJA.

Gentlemen of the Press,

You may wish to recall that not too long ago, some critical stakeholders across tribal, sectional, age, gender and political boundaries converged on the GALAXY EVENT CENTER, Lokoja, to discuss inter alia, POWER ROTATION in Kogi State between the 3 Senatorial Districts of Kogi Central, Kogi East and Kogi West. This dialogue followed several agitations that power sharing and distribution should be discussed to allow for smooth, healthy and convivial relationships between the various segments that make up Kogi State.

You may wish to further recall that a lot were discussed at the Summit whereupon the general opinion acceptable to all is that power rotation is a just call which for the interest of peace, equity and fairplay should be undertaken.

Various participating interest groups, tribal unions, political representatives and Local Government Areas took the resolution back home.

Here in Lokoja Local Government, we participated in the entire process of the Summit and came back to review the entire Summit and resolved as follows:

1. That Power Rotation is a healthy and a well accepted consensus which we considered as important.

2. That we, Lokoja Critical Stakeholders, key into the desire for Power Rotation and the attendant benefits to create peace and harmony in Kogi State.

3. That we commend the proponent of the Summit that at no time that it's more important to discuss this matter than now.

4. That following the political trends in Kogi State and Nigeria at large and that in line with constitutional provisions, power rotation should not become a tool to deprive the incumbent Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman ODODO, the right to fulfill his constitutional rights for another term in office.

5. That we observed that Councillors, Local Government Chairmen, State Assembly members, National Assembly members and indeed, Mr. President are all seeking re-election for another term. It will therefore, be curious to now subject the well deserved return of Governor ODODO to an unwarranted debate.

6. That we the Critical Stakeholders in Lokoja do hereby extends our support, solidarity and commitment to the re-election of His Excellency, Governor AHMED USMAN ODODO come November 2027.

7. That we call on all people of means and goodwill throughout Kogi State to join hands with us to achieve this.

8. That his re-election will not only enhance peace that we are all enjoying at present, it will enable him continue and even improve on the developmental strides he has currently embarked upon in Kogi State.

Gentlemen of the Press, Ladies and Gentlemen!

We want to thank you all for listening to us and hope our messages will reach your audience as you have always done.

We also plead that this message is not just an exercise on paper and the news but we, Stakeholders here present, will take the message and work accordingly towards the re-election of Gov. Ahmed Usman ODODO as our Governor in Kogi State come November, 2027.

Thank you and God bless!