Ododo: Kolawole’s Enduring Influence Shows True Leadership

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has described former Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Prince Matthew Kolawole, as a leader whose enduring influence among his followers demonstrates the true meaning of leadership.

Ododo stated this when Kolawole, alongside members and supporters of Team YomiKola, paid a courtesy visit to the governor at the Kogi State Government House, Lokoja.

The governor said leadership should not be measured solely by the position occupied but by the ability of a leader to retain the confidence, trust and unity of his people after leaving office.

He said the continued loyalty and support of people who served under Kolawole’s political leadership showed that the former Speaker had built strong relationships and carried his followers along.

Ododo expressed confidence in Kolawole’s leadership qualities and urged him to remain committed to contributing to the development of Kogi State. He said he believed in the former Speaker and appreciated his commitment to the progress of the state.

The governor noted that the large turnout of Team YomiKola members at the Government House was evidence that Kolawole had built a political structure founded on mutual trust and enduring relationships.

He also encouraged the former Speaker to remain steadfast in his principles and continue to support the administration and the overall development of the state.

Earlier, Kolawole thanked Governor Ododo for receiving him and members of Team YomiKola, saying the visit provided an opportunity to reaffirm their respect for the governor and commitment to the progress of Kogi State.

Kolawole said the meeting also provided an opportunity to dispel what he described as erroneous claims that he withdrew from the recent political contest out of fear.

He explained that his decision to step down for Arc Salman Idris was taken in the interest of the All Progressives Congress (APC), following consultations with his political family.

According to him, the delegation at the Government House represented only a fraction of the wider Team YomiKola structure spread across polling units in Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency.

He described the group as comprising founding members and loyal supporters of the APC in the constituency, adding that they remained committed to the party despite past political challenges.

Kolawole appealed to Governor Ododo to consider more members of the group for appointments, claiming that about 90 per cent of its members were yet to receive appointments in the state government.

He commended the Ododo administration for its achievements in security, infrastructure, workers’ welfare and education, citing projects in Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu, including the Ayetoro-Gbede township road, Asaya-Ogidi-Ayere road, erosion control projects in Kabba and developments at the Kogi State University, Kabba.

The former Speaker disclosed that Team YomiKola had outlined a series of programmes to mobilise support for Governor Ododo’s second-term bid.

He said the group would embark on consultations with traditional rulers and community leaders across Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency and Okunland to explain its position that the governor should be allowed to complete two terms in office.

Kolawole said the group also planned to organise a Kogi Summit in November to highlight the projects and human-impact initiatives of the administration.

He added that a town hall meeting and sensitisation programme for artisans and market women would be held in December, followed by an empowerment programme for widows across the federal constituency.

Kolawole recalled that Team YomiKola had on September 2, 2026, organised an endorsement programme for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ododo in Kabba, which he said attracted more than 2,000 supporters.

He said the group would intensify political activities in the coming months in support of the APC and the governor.

On the 2031 governorship succession, Kolawole acknowledged growing interest among political actors from Kogi West but said Team YomiKola’s position was that Governor Ododo should be allowed to complete eight years in office.

He, however, appealed to the governor to support the emergence of his successor from Kogi West in 2031, describing the demand as one based on equity and political rotation.

Kolawole also appealed to Ododo to consider appointing at least 10 members of the Team YomiKola political family into government.
He assured the governor that members of the structure would continue to communicate the programmes and directives of the administration to their supporters across the constituency.