After a fiercely fought political battle, dove-tailing often into violence, Mr. Usman Ododo, has been declared the winner of the Kogi State gubernatorial election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared the candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, winner of last Saturdays election.
He joins Governor Hope Uzodinma who polled an unbelievably high margin of votes to dust his co-contestants in the election in Imo State.
Expectedly, the grumbles are loud from the camp of the opposition parties, like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
There have been complaints of pre-filled result sheets in both states, violence, and compromise by security forces.
Ododo won with 446,237 votes, defeating his closest rival, Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party, who garnered 259,052, while Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party pulled 46,362 votes.
Thr outgoing governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, has sent his appreciation to all stakeholders whom he said supported him on his governorship voyage.
He said he would soon return home gallantky and triumphantly.
Bello said he had come; he had seen and he had served.
One of the early organisations to congratulate Ododo is the Independent Campaign Council , ICC, of the Ododo/Joel Campaign Organisation.
In a statement by its Media Director Mr. Jacob Edi, it describes Ododo’s victory as authoritative going by the number of votes he secured in the keenly contested elections to beat his opponents.
“ICC therefore calls on Ododo’s co-contestants to join hands with the governor elect to build the state for more progress and development insisting that the interest of the state supersedes any sectional or individual interest.
“ICC Commends governor YahayaBello whose untiring efforts brought about a peaceful election as against the prediction of political opponents. Equally worthy of commendation are the good people of Kogi state who conducted themselves to ensure a violence-free election.
“ICC urge governor-elect, Alhaji Ododo, to take urgent steps to unite the state, harness the abundant human and material resources in the state and roll out his plans to develop the state to consolidate on the gains of Governor Bello.”