Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State has publicly reaffirmed his steadfast loyalty to his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, describing their relationship as that of father and son.
The governor made these declarations on Friday during a visit to the All Progressives Congress national headquarters in Abuja, where he met with party chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and members of the National Working Committee.
In an emotional tribute, Ododo credited Bello for his political rise, stating: “Any river that forgets its source will soon dry up. My boss, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, is like a father to me. I was not born with a silver spoon.”
The governor elaborated on his indebtedness to Bello: “Where he picked me from and how God used him to elevate me remain fresh in my memory. I will never forget where I came from. I will not and cannot betray him. When you see a child angry with his father, such a child is no longer truly one. I’m not that kind of person.”
Ododo went further to instruct his supporters: “If he gets angry with me as a father, please, if you observe or you get a feel that my boss is angry with me, just go and plead with him on my behalf. But as far as I’m concerned, he’s a leader. I can never, and will never betray him.”
The public declaration comes amid ongoing political dynamics in Kogi State, where Ododo succeeded Bello in January 2024 after serving as Auditor-General for Local Governments under Bello’s administration. Political analysts view Ododo’s statements as both a personal testament and a strategic positioning within the APC’s power structure.
During the Abuja visit, Governor Ododo also discussed party affairs with Ganduje and the NWC, though details of those discussions were not disclosed. The governor’s emphatic pledge of loyalty underscores the continuing influence of his predecessor in Kogi’s political landscape.