Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has emerged as the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State.
The former Auditor-General for Local Government in the state polled a total of 78,704 votes to beat six other aspirants in the direct primary election held across the 239 wards in the 21 local government areas in Kogi state.
The Secretary of the Kogi State APC Governorship Primary Election Committee Honourable Patrick Obahiagbon who announced the result on behalf of the Chairman of the committee, Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamafara state, declared Ododo as the winner of the election having scored the majority of lawful votes cast during the direct primary election held on the 14th of April, 2023.
In his acceptance speech, Ododo expressed appreciation to Governor Yahaya Bello for leading the APC to a peaceful and rancour-free primary election.
He noted that Governor Bello’s purposeful leadership has made the party stronger, more united and confident of victory in the November 2023 Governorship election in the state.
The APC candidate who promised to consolidate on the achievements of the present administration in the state assured that he would bring about aggressive industrialisation through massive investment in agriculture, youth empowerment, human capital development, healthcare, tourism, solid minerals and critical social infrastructure to accelerate the pace of development in Kogi state if elected in the November 2023 governorship election in the state.
He called on other aspirants to rally round his candidature to ensure victory for the APC in the state.
According to him: “We must now put behind us the brotherly exchanges before the primary election which were only a means for us to test the system which has now truly proven to be alive, well, and working in the interest of the party and indeed the good people of Kogi state.
“With your support, our great party (APC) will be victorious in the next governorship election and we shall consolidate on the gains of the New Direction administration in the state.”
The APC candidate who previously worked as an accountant at the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (now Abuja Electricity Distribution Company) commands respect and massive following among party members for his experience in private and public sector governance, humility, dedication to service and uncommon loyalty to the party in all positions of responsibilities held since he became part of the government in 2016.
