By Abah Benjamin-Eneojoh
Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi on Tuesday tasked youths on peaceful political participation as the 2027 general elections draw nearer.
The governor gave the charge while addressing a meeting with the Okun Youths Group for Tinubu and Ododo reelection in 2027 at the Government House, Lokoja.
Ododo said that the charge became imperative inview of the fact that peaceful political participation stands as the pathway to sustainable development and prosperity not only in the state but in Nigeria as a whole.
“At this critical time of our democratic process, I hereby urge all the youths in Okun land to embrace peace, unity, economic self-determination to stimulate growth and development.
“I wish to commend the youths of Okun kingdom for their steadfast support and commitment to the progress of Kogi,” he said.
The governor also thanked leaders of the Okun kingdom for what he described as their sincere and purposeful leadership that has continued to inspire the younger generation towards responsible engagement in governance and community development.
He said that the Kogi West possesses enormous economic potential, especially with the discovery of large deposits of lithium mineral resources in the region.
.According to him, the proper harnessing and local refining of lithium in the area could drastically reduce unemployment, insecurity, and medical tourism thereby open up new opportunities for economic development.
“The Okun kingdom has been confirmed to have the largest volume of lithium. With unity, we can refine our own lithium and we would have ended unemployment, insecurity and medical tourism.
“Therefore, we must rise above parochial differences and embrace collective responsibility for development, more so that the state is richly endowed with both human and natural resources.
“We aren’t known with hooliganism nor with thuggery. Let us work together to build a future that will help us forever,” he said.
Ododo assured that his administration would not impose candidates on any community ahead of future elections, stressing that the stakeholders would be allowed to determine their preferred aspirants through consensus and consultation.
He reaffirmed his administration’s loyalty to President Bola and declared that Kogi State would work collectively to ensure massive support for his (Tinubu’s) reelection in the next general election.
He warned, “Any action capable of undermining the political success of President Tinubu in the state will not be tolerated. ”
Ododo,however, disclosed that his administration has already captured township and internal road projects across Okun land, which by God’s grace would be completed before the next general election.
Earlier in his remarks, the spokesperson of the Okun Youths Group, Comrade Seun Adebayo, praised President Tinubu for providing what he described as a level playing field for democratic participation across the country.
The group equally declared total support for Ododo’s administration, insisting that his re-election remained “non-negotiable” owing to what they described as his developmental strides in Okun land.
They commended Ododo for his continued investment in infrastructure, education, and healthcare in Okun communities while reaffirming their commitment to partnering with his administration in building a greater Kogi. (ephemeralnews.com.ng)
