The Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Aliyu Umar Yusuf, has described the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, as the right man for the job in Kogi State.
The Speaker, in his felicitation message while speaking with newsmen in Lokoja on the governor’s tremendous one year in office, noted that the Governor’s one year in office has been eventful and surreal. He said he is truly the Chief Servant of Kogi State in view of his commitment, humility, dedication, and development, which cut across all sectors.
“He has made true consolidation his cardinal objective, as you can see from the way he did not allow for a vacuum in any sector of the State. Infrastructural development, upgrade of the state security architecture, improved welfare for civil servants, innovative ideas in the state economic development, improved inter-governmental relationship, widening of the State’s tax net and others have been his objectives, and he is actively working to ensure they are realised. Every time I come to the office, I look at the recently completed Zone Eight to the Crusher Road project and the ongoing beautification, and I marvel. The projects ongoing around that area have given life to the social and economic activities of the people living in that part of the State Capital and have even birthed new economic opportunities. Nightlife is back in that area. The same can be said of the Zone Eight to Barracks, Zango and Zariagi Road. The proposed health sector and the ultramodern Lokoja International Market.”
The Speaker, who described the Executive and Legislative relationship under the present administration as cordial and mutually respectful, commended the Governor for his pragmatic steps that led to the absolute autonomy the state legislature enjoys.
“The issue of autonomy is something we have clamoured for a long time. Many states of the country only wish they enjoy the level of autonomy and independence that we enjoy in the state. But I thank God for the person of the Governor for encouraging and ensuring that the autonomy works to extricate the view that the legislature has been the apron string of the executive. So, our relationship has been cordial, respectful and in the interest of the people of the State.”
On the issue of the suspicion in the public that the current legislature in Kogi State is a rubber stamp of the Executive, the Speaker said it is because the people see a working legislature as a situation where lawmakers are seen having a face-off with the executive.
“Whenever I hear people say something like that, I laugh. We are not a rubber stamp by any stretch of the imagination. Let me tell you something, what some people out there see as a working legislature is a situation where lawmakers are seen or they read in the media that the lawmaking arm is having a face-off with the executive. I have said in many forums that it is a wrong notion.”
While noting that democracy thrives only in an atmosphere of collaboration, Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf noted that the legislature must collaborate with other arms of government for the development of the state.
He called on the people of the State to be patient and allow their leaders to bring development to all parts of the State.
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