Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has ordered all Commissioners, top-ranking political appointees, and other government officials under his administration to immediately return to their respective Local Government Areas (LGAs) to resume official duties and lead mobilization efforts.
The directive, which is to take effect from Monday, September 1, 2025, was contained in a circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the State, Dr. Mrs. Folashade Arike Ayoade. According to the circular, appointees are expected to operate directly under the coordination of the highest-ranking political office holder in each Local Government, ensuring that voter registration awareness and mobilization penetrate down to the ward level.
Under the arrangement, every government appointee must actively engage communities in their respective LGAs to encourage eligible residents to participate in the CVR exercise. They are also mandated to file detailed reports at the conclusion of the mobilization period, capturing the number of newly registered voters across their wards and Local Government Councils.
Governor Ododo, who has repeatedly emphasized the importance of grassroots connection in governance, stated that the time had come to move governance away from a purely Lokoja-centric model to one that prioritizes the direct involvement of officials in their home constituencies. He noted that the effectiveness of any government is measured by its accessibility to the people and the degree of trust built through constant engagement at the community level.
The circular further stressed discipline and accountability, directing that any appointee who intends to travel out of their assigned Local Government Area during this period must seek prior written approval from the Secretary to the State Government. Failure to comply, the circular warned, would attract appropriate disciplinary measures.
Confirming the Governor’s directive in a statement issued to newsmen on Saturday, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to deepening grassroots governance and expanding political participation. He maintained that the decision was in line with Governor Ododo’s broader vision of consolidating democracy in the state by ensuring that every citizen is empowered to contribute to the electoral process.
Fanwo explained that mobilization for voter registration was not only about preparing for future elections but also about strengthening the democratic culture by ensuring that the voices of ordinary citizens count in shaping the state’s political destiny. He added that by sending appointees back to their communities, the Governor was demonstrating leadership that puts people at the heart of governance.
Political observers have described the development as a bold step that could redefine the relationship between political leaders and their constituents, particularly in a state where voter apathy and disconnection between government and grassroots communities have been recurrent challenges.
With the new directive, the Ododo administration has signaled that no political appointee will be allowed to remain distant from the realities of the people they serve. Instead, they must live among them, listen to them, and work with them to drive both governance and electoral participation from the ground up.
