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Gov. Ododo Assures of A New Beginning in Kogi

…work to meet with the yearnings and aspirations of the people
… stressed that the era of politics of bitterness is over.
The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo has assured of new beginning.
Alhaji Usman Ododo made the disclosure while delivering his inaugural speech shortly after he was sworn in as the new Kogi State Governor.
The Governor promised that the State under his administration be made one of the sub National government for overall economic growth as envisioned by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
The Governor urged the people of the State to stem the tide of greed, be prepared to make hard choices, with unity and cooperation, assuring that it is a new dawn for the people.
Gov. Ododo assured the people of the State that he would work to meet with the yearnings and aspirations of the people, stressed that the era of politics of bitterness is over.
” There would no longer be politics of bitterness in the State as thought us by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu”, urged all the people of the State to join hands with him in building a virile Kogi State.
” I will build on the Solid foundation of unity existing in the State. I will strive not to undermine the trust placed on him to lead the people of the State”.
” I promise to govern with the fear of God, fairness, equity and justice”, assured that he will not fail the people, promised to be transparent and accountable.
Gov. Ododo urged the people to choose unity, togetherness, affirmed his will to pursue their full measure of happiness, without tribal or ethnicity that binds the people together
Gov. Ododo promised to work to sustain the ideals of the founding fathers, assured of delivering on the dreams of a Prosperous Kogi State that will lead to the progress and Kogi State as envisioned by the founding fathers.
Towards ensuring a sense of belonging, Ododo assured that the charter of Power of rotation, that would ensure inclusivity would be worked upon.
” I shall hit the ground running with programs that would have the well being of our people, with accountability, transparency as our driving force”
” I will open the State to become the investors hub under a well robust Public, Private Partnership. My administration will strive to make the State attractive and an investment destination”.
” Under my administration, more homes will be built. More businesses will spring up. Our farmland will be made flourishing. Our School will be filled. Teachers will smile. Youths will be enterprising. Women would be gainfully engaged”.
“Let it be said that once upon a time when our will was tested, we strived for unity for the future generation of all Kogites”, urged the people to join hands with him in delivering the gains of democracy.
” Our administration will strive to complete all ongoing projects, focus on solid Minerals, Steel Development, Marine and digital economy”.
Gov Ododo expressed optimism of a better Kogi State that will meet the expectations of the people, with Kogi State made better under his administration”.
Gov. Ododo said he will build on the achievements of his predecessor, described former Gov. Bello as father of modern Kogi State, praised him for his life transformation achievements and for building a modern Kogi State.
Gov. Ododo said he would not take the euphoria of the election for granted, said he will work to meet with the yearnings and aspirations of the people in fairness and Justice.
He called on the people to join hands with him in building on the unity of the State, acknowledged the efforts of former Gov Idris Wada, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, said history will remain kind to them for their roles in shaping the State on the basis of unity.
Ododo paid glowing tributes to late Prince Abubakar Audu, lauded President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, for making the State peaceful and united before and after the Governorship election.
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2027: Hurdles Before The Coalition, By Emeka Monye

The 2027 presidential election in Nigeria is shaping up to be a crucial contest between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and a potential coalition of opposition parties. Several hurdles need to be overcome for the opposition coalition to succeed.
The political class is already preparing for this quadrennial event, holding consultations, meetings, negotiations, among other contending factors.
The ruling party, The All Progressive Congress, appears to be the most beautiful bride at the moment as members of other opposition parties have been courting the party, in a gale of defections, in what many political pundits and analysts described as a political tsunami.
While the APC seems to be enjoying the foray of defections by other party members into their fold, the main opposition party, The Peoples Democractic Party, PDP, appears to have lost its steam in the run of play.
The once dominant party is plagued by a series of internal crises which many political analysts believe will be the party’s undoings.
The once largest political party in Africa and oldest in Nigeria since it was created in 1998 by some elder statesmen, is now a shadow of itself, living in past glory and trying to win its way back to national prominence.
Already, some past and present leaders of the party have been consulting, negotiating, discussing, even though they have agreed yet, all in a bit to wrestle power from the stronghold of the Bola Tinubu-Led APC at the centre.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Former Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General elections, Peter Obi, former Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, among other bigwigs, are believed to be in talks with one another of how to build a possible coalition to edge the ruling APC in the power game.
Although, no concrete decision has been reached by the major actors, their negotiations and their inability to reach a consensus remain critical factors that might endanger the birth of a viable coalition.
Factors like who will step down for who as the realignment begins, remains a major issue, taking into consideration their individual experiences, exposures, skills, knowledge, capacities and egos.
Except this issue is resolved in the run up to the 2027 presidential polls, it will be a mirage for them to unseat the Tinubu-Led government.
While the running party is busy strategizing ahead of the 2027 presidential polls, the other parties are still grappling with their internal crisis.
Some analysts believe that Atiku’s past experience as Vice President under the regime of Olusegun Obasanjo, might give him an edge, while others think Peter Obi’s popularity in the South could bring a geographical balance to the ticket.
For them to form a strong force against the APC, then, they must find common platform and agree on a candidate, which might be challenging given their different ideologies and interest.
Other factors which some political analysts have highlighted that may pose as a stumbling block agents the coalition is the timing. The time between and 2027 is quite a short time for the coalition to gather and make the desired impact.
This of course, is no brainer. Any merger of alliance must be arranged within a reasonable timeframe to be effective. Also, the coalition will have to convince the Nigerian voting public of its purpose and demonstrate a clear vision for the country’s future, particularly in the area of addressing the economic misfortunes of majority of the people. Another hurdle that would be staring the coalition in the face remains the issue of power rotation.
While the south believe it’s that turn to complete their second term in 2027, the north on the other hand argue that they have been short-changed in the governance structure of the country – in terms of number of years – since the return of democracy in 1999.
Out of the total 26 years, the north has ruled for 11 years, with the south 15 years. The issue remains a key factor that would affect the coalition to birth.
The coalition, must as a matter of urgency, decency decide on this unwritten agreement about rotating power between the North and the South, potentially present a southern for one term to allow the South to complete its own two terms for the office of the president.
In conclusion, the coalition, if it really wants to win power in 2027, must make a compelling case for itself, highlighting its unique strengths and vision, rather than just criticizing the incumbent.
It needs to differentiate itself and show Nigerians that it has a better alternative.
Emeka Monye Is A Journalist And Works With ARISE NEWS.
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Mauritania’s Tah succeeds Adesina as 9th AfDB President
Tah was elected to succeed Adesina after rounds of voting conducted by the AfDB Board of Governors during the Bank’s Annual Meetings held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Mauritania’s Sidi Ould Tah has been elected as the ninth president of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) as Nigeria’s Akinwumi Adesina prepares to bow out.
The Bank announced his election on its website on Thursday.
Adesina’s 10-year tenure will end this year and Tah is expected to assume office on September 1, 2025.
Tah was elected to succeed Adesina after rounds of voting conducted by the AfDB Board of Governors during the Bank’s Annual Meetings held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The Board comprises finance ministers and central bank governors from the Bank’s 81 member countries.
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JUST IN: Appeal Court Affirms Okphebholo as Edo Governor

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed Monday Okphebholo as duly elected in the September 21, 2024 Edo Governorship polls, as it affirms the decision of the Tribunal which on April 2 dismissed the petition of Asue Ighodalo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for lacking merit.
A three-man panel of the Appeal court, presided over by Justice Mohamed Danjuma, restated the position of the Tribunal which held that the PDP failed to provide sufficient and credible evidence to substantiate their claims of electoral malpractice, irregularities, and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
The panel held that the PDP failed to provide sufficient and credible evidence to substantiate their claims of electoral malpractice, irregularities, and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
The Appellate Court agrees with the Tribunal that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) Machines which the appellants tendered were merely ‘dumped’ as they weren’t demonstrated to prove overvoting.
This the Court held after it earlier expunged the 133 BVAS machines admitted in evidence at the Tribunal stage of the Governorship tussle.
Ighodalo and the PDP were further faulted by the Appellate Court for failing to tender the voter register to prove overvoting.
The Court further adds that BVAS extract doesn’t constitute items with which to prove overvoting. It says the documents tendered by the PDP at the Tribunal did not, on their own, prove overvoting, non-holding or cancellation of elections at the polling units.
To further puncture the case of the PDP, the panel says the 19 witnesses called by the appellants during the Tribunal hearing didn’t help their case.
It says the majority of them did not witness what they spoke about. Moreso, it adds they were insufficient to prove irregularities in polling stations at over 4,000 locations.
Nigeria’s electoral body, INEC, had declared Okpebholo the winner with 291,667 votes, against Asue Ighodalo of the PDP who garnered 247,274 votes.