Political office holders in Kogi State under the past administration of Captain Idris Wada have commended the governor, Usman Ododo, for approving payment of their outstanding salaries. The former political appointees under the aegis of Capt Wada's Appointees (2012-2016) in a statement in Lokoja yesterday signed by group coordinators, Abubakar Sadiq Ainoko, former Commissioner for…

Political office holders in Kogi State under the past administration of Captain Idris Wada have commended the governor, Usman Ododo, for approving payment of their outstanding salaries.

The former political appointees under the aegis of Capt Wada’s Appointees (2012-2016) in a statement in Lokoja yesterday signed by group coordinators, Abubakar Sadiq Ainoko, former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Barrister Kayode Olowomoran, former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, stated that Ododo’s action had served as an eye-opener for other state governors who have started paying former appointees in their respective states.

The group cited Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa who ordered the payment of former political appointees under the administration of Olusegun Mimiko, two days after news of Ododo’s similar gesture in Kogi State, hit the streets.
Authoritative Lokoja-based Nigerian Post online newspaper had reported that any moment from this week, appointees who served Kogi under the administration of Captain Idris Wada will be smiling to the bank as the governor “has made up his mind to approve the payment of their outstanding salaries without further delay”.

The report added: “Investigations by our correspondent revealed that the governor’s decision to give approval for the payment of the said outstanding salaries was informed by the love and support he had received from the forum, before, during and after his elections and swearing-in as the governor of Kogi State since January this year. The governor was said to be happy with the solidarity and support he has received so far from the past appointees with particular reference to how he was celebrated during his 100 Days in office.

“More importantly, the governor is of the opinion that paying the former political appointees will enable them to also celebrate the one year anniversary of President Bola Tinubu administration in office on the 29th of May, 2024”.

In the run up to the November 2023 Kogi State governorship election, the group of former appointees, among others. had sponsored campaign billboards erected in strategic locations across the three senatorial districts in Kogi State in support of Ododo. This included a dedicated campaign office opened at Lokoja, the state capital propagating the Ahmed Usman Ododo/Salifu Oyibo All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship election campaign organisation.

It will be recalled that political appointees under Wada’s administration (2012-2016) in Kogi State were not lucky to receive their complete salaries before the expiration of their tenure of office”

Immediate past governor Yahaya Bello had approved the payment of one month salary out of the four months arrears, paid last August.

Meanwhile, the group has announced a solidarity walk by members to be mobilised from across the state. According to the group. the procession, slated for Friday, May 17, is expected to start at 10am from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NUJ), Kogi Council secretariat, located along Lugard Road, Lokoja, to the office of the Secretary to the Kogi State Government (SSG). It is planned to show its appreciation to Governor Ododo for the approval, while also pressing for its immediate implementation.