The National President and Coordinator of the Igala Youths Consultative Assembly, Engr. Benjamin Akoji Daniel, has sent a congratulatory message to the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, and the Governor-Elect, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for their overwhelming victory in the just-concluded Off-Season Election in Kogi State.
Engr. Akoji made this known in a press conference held on Thursday at the Igala Unity Square in Anyigba alongside heads of other socio-cultural groups.
Akoji also commended Prince Ishaq Shaibu Okolo, Executive Chairman of Dekina; Alfa Nasiru Muhammed, Kogi East Zonal Chairman of the All Progressives Congress; and other well-meaning Igala sons and daughters who stood and believed in the “Kogi Agenda” rather than any form of ethnic agenda. He thanked them for making the Igala kingdom proud by not engaging in any form of bigotry, noting that Igala people are known for their uprightness and peaceful cohabitation with other ethnic groups in the state.
The group charged the Governor-Elect to build on the solid foundation laid by the outgoing Governor Bello, and ensure he carries all ethnic groups along in the discharge of his duties when he assumes office as Governor on 27th January 2024.
Other speakers at the meeting praised the National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting an election in the State that is adjudged free, fair, transparent, and credible.
The Secretary of the group, Alhaji Suleiman Makolo, advised the incoming Governor to see all Kogites as one and build on the unity championed by the Governor from 2016 to date. He further admonished the Governor-Elect to embark on more infrastructural projects in Kogi East to complete what Governor Bello started in 2016, which led to the construction of several projects such as the Anyigba-Umomi-Idah Road, Ankpa Township Roads, Olamaboro Roads, erosion control projects in Ogugu, Anyigba, and other parts of the State. Also, Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital Anyigba and the appointment of prominent Igala sons and daughters into positions of trust, like Prince Shaibu Abubakar Audu as Minister of Steel Development, were highlighted.
The group called on Igala sons and daughters to support Ododo for the betterment of Igala land and the State at large.