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From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
Thousands of members of the South-South residents in Kogi comprising of Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River and states have pledged to support the re election bids of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Usman Ododo in next year general elections.
The South-South Community made the pledge on Monday through their President-general, Chief Michael Abu who also doubles as the Special Adviser to the governor on the south- south region during an empowerment programme carried out by the State Security Adviser , Comadr Jerry Omodara retd.
Chief Abu said since the creation of the state, members of the community have been sidelined by previous administrations but expressed gratitude to governor Ododo for not only recognizing them as members of a geo political entity but also giving them political patronage and welfare.
He said for this unprecedented recognitions and patronage,his members have vowed to give massive support to Ododo in his second term bid and to President Tinubu for his reform programmes.
While appreciating the Security Adviser for the empowerment given to his members, he specifically commended Omodara for his relentless efforts in ensuring that the state is safe and secured from banditry attacks and criminal activities.
The Kogi State Government has empowered members of the South-South community residing in Kogi State with sewing machines, grinding machines and the sum of N1.5 million.
Earlier, the State Security Adviser to the Governor, Commander Jerry Omodara (retd), gave empowerments of sewing machines, grinding engines and the sum of #1.5 million to some select market women among the members.
He also announced the donation of other items and cash during a meeting with the community at the NUJ Press Centre, Lokoja and distributed textile materials to members of the community.
Omodara who promised to continue to assist the community, said he started his military career in the South-South as a Naval Instructor in Rivers State, noting that he is also their brother from the South-South.
He appreciated the leadership of the community for uniting all members from the South-South states resident in Kogi State and specifically commended Chief Abu for his purposeful leadership.
The Security Adviser reeled out the achievements of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, including the ongoing construction of an International Airport, an International Market, and 10-kilometre roads in each of the 21 Local Government Areas of the state, among others.
He urged members of the community to continue to support the APC and the present administration at both the state and federal levels, and to vote en masse for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the next general elections and governor Usman Ododo in the off cycle governorship election.
Also speaking, former Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly and leader of the APC in Lokoja LGA, Hon. Alfa Imam, called on the South-South community to support President Tinubu, saying the President was serious and determined to transform the country.
Imam said as a bona fide son of Lokoja, he recognizes many South-South residents as brothers and sisters who have lived together as workers of the defunct Inland Waterways Department (IWD), now known as the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
He urged members to vote for the APC in the coming local government election, as well as in the presidential, National Assembly and, most importantly, the 2027 governorship election.
