By Boluwaji Obahopo, Lokoja
Former Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Matthew Kolawole, has urged the people of Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in the 2027 general elections.
Kolawole made the call at the weekend while speaking at an endorsement and mega rally organised by the Team Yomi Kola political structure in Kabba, where APC supporters across Kabba-Bunu and Ijumu Federal Constituency rallied behind the two leaders.
The gathering attracted party leaders, elders, women and youth groups, with Kolawole describing the event as an opportunity for the people to assess the performance of the Tinubu and Ododo administrations and determine whether their policies and programmes deserved continuity.
He urged the people to objectively assess the policies and programmes of the two administrations, saying responsible citizenship required acknowledging areas of progress while constructively drawing attention to areas requiring improvement.
Highlighting some of the Federal Government’s initiatives, the former Speaker cited the Students Loan Scheme and various youth and women empowerment programmes targeted at expanding access to education, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and employment.
He also identified the ongoing reconstruction of the Kabba-Egbe-Ilorin road as a strategic infrastructure project capable of boosting commercial activities and strengthening connectivity between Kogi, Kwara and neighbouring states.
On security, Kolawole commended the Federal Government for strengthening the nation’s security architecture through increased support for the armed forces and other security agencies in the fight against banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities.
Turning to Kogi State, he praised Governor Ododo for prioritising security, workers’ welfare and infrastructure, noting that collaboration between government and community-based security structures had contributed to improved safety in parts of Okunland previously affected by criminal activities.
Kolawole also commended the state government’s regular payment of salaries and pensions, describing the policy as critical to the welfare of workers and pensioners and an important contributor to grassroots economic activity.
He described the establishment and development of Kogi State University, Kabba, as a landmark investment in human capital development, saying the institution would have far-reaching benefits for the people of Okunland and the state.
The former Speaker further lauded the payment of WAEC and NECO examination fees for students in public schools, saying the initiative had reduced the financial burden on parents while helping to widen access to education.
He, however, stressed that government performance must ultimately be measured by its impact on the daily lives of citizens, identifying roads, healthcare, electricity, water supply, agriculture and support for small businesses as areas requiring sustained attention.
The rally climaxed with the unanimous endorsement of President Tinubu, Governor Ododo and other APC candidates, as party supporters pledged their loyalty and support ahead of the 2027 elections.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to Governor Ododo on Security, Jerry Omadara, said the achievements recorded by the Tinubu and Ododo administrations during their first tenure justified their re-election in 2027.
Omadara urged the electorate to support both leaders for continuity, saying another term would provide them the opportunity to consolidate their programmes and deliver more dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
Kolawole, while calling for unity and peaceful political participation, expressed optimism that continued cooperation among stakeholders would produce a more secure, prosperous and developed Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency, Kogi State and Nigeria.
The post 2027: Tinubu, Ododo deserves second term – Kogi ex-speaker appeared first on Vanguard News.