By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
The popularity of Ahmed Usman Ododo, admirably called OAU, in the political landscape of Kogi State came to the fore on Wednesday with the unprecedented crowd that graced his return home after last Friday’s Supreme Court judgment which affirmed his victory in the state’s November 11, 2023 governorship election.
As early as 7 a.m, on Wednesday, thousands of his supporters and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have left their homes for strategic locations where they believed Governor Ododo’s convoy would pass through. At every nook and cranny within the confluence city, the chanting of the slogan, “Kogi sai Ododo, Kogi sai Ododo,” rented the air, as residents, both men, women and even children defied the su, trekking through many kilometres with the snake-paced convoy that meandered through the streets of the city in several hours, after passing hoards of supporters between Banda and Lokoja.
Indeed, for several hours, the ancient city of Lokoja remained agog as thousands of residents stormed the streets, in a peaceful mood, awaiting the return of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and his entourage, after the Supreme Court verdict that upheld his election as the Governor of Kogi State during the November 11, governorship election in the state.
Recall that the Kogi governorship election petition tribunal and the Appeal Court had upheld the election of Governor Ododo.
Contrary to feelers that there could be chaos after the Supreme Court judgement, Governor Ododo’s supporters and members of the APC, engaged in a peaceful celebration that received the commendation of the state Commissioner of Police, Bertrand Onuoha and other security chiefs who had prepared for any eventuality, even as members of the opposition also did not engage in any open violent action after the Supreme Court verdict.
Speaking to our Correspondent on preparations for the return of Governor Ododo, the CP assured that all arrangements have been put in place awaiting the return of Governor Ododo. Indeed, our Correspondent reports that the police and other security operatives were equal to the task, controlling the huge crowd that was trailing the convoy of the governor.
Our Correspondent gathered that Governor Ododo was accompanied by some APC national leaders who came in solidarity with him, all the way from Abuja. His Deputy, Salifu Joel Oyibo members of the state Executive Council, and APC bigwigs from Kogi and across the country also accompanied Governor Ododo back to Kogi, after the Supreme Court ruling, last Friday.
Hundreds of thousands of supporters and members of the APC had gathered at Nataco, the entry point to Lokoja from Abuja, while many others lined up along the streets leading to the Government House, the venue of the grand victory rally, where Governor Ododo addressed a mammoth crowd.
Watch Video Here …
