New Kogi Governor Ododo Retains Yahaya Bello’s Loyalists, Nephew

On his first day in office, Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo appointed certain people while keeping his predecessor Yahaya Bello’s supporters, nephew, and other commissioners.

During his inauguration speech, Ododo, who was sworn in on Saturday at the Muhammadu Buhari Mini Stadium in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, announced his first appointments.

A few commissioners and other senior advisers were nominated by the governor. A few of the appointees were part of Yahaya Bello’s previous administration.

They included, among others, Folashade Ayoade Arike, Kingsley Fanwo, and Deedat Salami Ozigi, a former Secretary to the State Government (SGF).

Ayoade, who was the SSG in the last eight years of the immediate past Governor, Yahaya Bello, is from the Kogi West Senatorial district.

The governor also announced the appointment of Ali Bello as the Chief of Staff.

SaharaReporters had reported that Bello is a nephew of the former governor, and he hails from the Kogi Central Senatorial District.

Until his appointment, Bello was with Yakubu Adabenege who is now the Auditor-General of Local Government.

Adabenege was appointed by the former governor two weeks ago.

Also, Suleman Ibrahim was announced as the Director-General, Protocol.

Oladele Nihi was announced as the Chief Press Secretary.

The governor also announced the appointment of some Commissioner-designates majority of whom were former commissioners under the former governor.

They are the former Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo; former Finance Commissioner, Idris Ashiru; former Commissioner for Solid Minerals; Bashir Gegu; former Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones; and the former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Salami Deedat.