The Kogi State Government has debunked report suggesting that Governor Usman Ododo has dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Earlier, a viral picture of Ododo had emerged with the PDP governors which recently met at the Taraba State Government House, driving speculations that the Kogi governor may be switching camp.
But the Kogi State Government issued a statement on Saturday, saying Governor Ododo is still an APC member and has no plans of dumping the ruling party.
“We urge the people to rest assured that Kogi remains APC and will continue to support the laudable policies and progress being recorded by the President of our dear nation, His Excellency Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Indeed, Governors are united across party lines to support the efforts of Mr President at uniting our nation,” the state Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, said.
In refuting the media report, the commissioner described it as “reckless and unprofessional.”
“We want to assure the good people of Kogi State that their Governor remains a solid member of the All Progressives Congress and will support the party’s success, not only in Kogi State, but nationally.
“It is, however, pertinent to remind the media of its responsibility to the tenets of journalism. Journalists should always strive to stay away from falsehood/unfounded lies concocted by interested ‘sources’. The media must continue to retain our trust and confidence at all times.”
Fanwo explained that the picture being circulated was taken at the wedding ceremony of the daughter of the Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, which was attended by dignitaries across the country, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, as well as governors across party lines.
He stated that Ododo was at the occasion to honour the daughter of a colleague like other governors did.
“The attention of the Kogi State Government has been drawn to a reckless and unprofessional media report that the Governor of the State was considering dumping the All Progressives Congress. We would have ignored the blatant falsehood but we owe the public the duty of correct and adequate information.
“The promoters of the falsehood are people who are still rueing their woeful failure at the law courts and probably trying to find a back door into the All Progressives Congress, hence their resort to the only tools at their disposal which are falsehood, propaganda, misinformation and disinformation,” he added.
The move comes a day after the Supreme Court affirmed Ododo as the validly elected governor of Kogi State.
The apex court also quashed the appeal by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Muritala Ajaka, contesting Ododo’s victory in the 2023 Kogi State governorship election.
In a unanimous decision on Friday, the five-member panel of the apex court held that the SDP candidate’s appeal was lacking in merit.