Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Friday, promised not to interfere in the administration of the state governor-elect, Usman Ododo.
“I had GYB administration and nobody dictated to me. The people were satisfied with me. This will be Ododo Ahmed Usman’s administration; whether good or bad, he will carry his own cross,” Bello told State House correspondents when Ododo and the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, presented their certificates of return to President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
However, he appealed to the people of the state to cooperate with the incoming government.
Ododo and Uzodimma said the presentation of certificates to Tinubu was in recognition of the leadership and guidance he has demonstrated since he emerged as the President.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, presented the governors-elect and their certificates of return to Tinubu.
Speaking on his victory for the second term in office, the Governor of Imo State, Mr Hope Uzodimma, said his success at the November 11 polls further validates the win of President Tinubu at the nation’s Presidential election and the growing popularity of the APC by Nigerians.
He stated, “You recall that in the election of November 11, our great party, APC, was growing in popularity and came out successfully in Kogi state and Imo State and you know that the leader of the party is the President and it is our tradition that after we have received our certificate of returns in off-cycle elections like that of Imo, Kogi states we should come to honour him by presenting the certificate to him in recognition of not only his leadership, the guidance he has demonstrated since he emerges as the President of the country.
“Our victory at the polls shows that Nigerians are still pleased with the APC. Nigerians voted en-mass to vote for the President and this victory validates this claim through the voters in Kogi and Imo states.
“So, we have come to honour the President and also use the opportunity to thank him for the support and advise the wisdom he imparted to us and achievements he has recorded since he became the President, which most of us leverage on to be able to convict the voters to vote for us.”
On the party’s victory in Kogi State, Governor-elect Ododo assured citizens of his readiness to serve.
“Through the campaign processes, we have met our stakeholders.
“The mandate is for the people and we are coming to serve the people. We must consult with them. We thank President Tinubu for the good he has done for the people,” said Ododo.
He added that the November 11 governorship election in Imo and Kogi states reflected the party’s growth.
Ododo stated: “The election in the two states shows that our party has moved from the old dark days to the new world order.
“Kogi state and Imo people know what is right for them and they have done what is right for them.”
