Why Kogi people will vote Tinubu in 2027 – Commissioner

By Ayorinde Oluokun

The Commissioner of Works in Kogi, Barrister Salami Ozigi Dedaat, has explained why the people of the state will continue the continuation of President Bola Tinubu in office beyond 2027.

Deedat gave the explanation while speaking during the ongoing inspection of federal and state government’s landmark projects across Kogi State by members of Renewed Hope Ambassadors, the Presidential Communications Team and a team over 40 senior journalists on Sunday.

He spoke after the team inspected federal and state government projects at Kogi state-owned Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, in Okehi Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner acknowledged that the feats that have been achieved by Governor Usman Ododo in terms of infrastructural development Kogi was because of increased funds accruing to the state as a result of reforms and policies of President Tinubu.

According to him, Governor Ododo has also not hidden the fact that his investments in infrastructure and other initiatives have been enabled by increased allocation from the federal purse.

Deedat therefore noted that re-electing President Tinubu in 2027 will also enable him to complete the federal projects that are going on in Kogi in addition to continued support for the State government.

“The Governor would not have been able to do all these without the resources that are made available by Mr President, and this is one of the dividends of the policies courageously taken by Mr President – the removal of subsidy. So, if we don’t have funds, we couldn’t have been able to do these, and you can imagine what that will mean to education sector.

“So, on behalf of all the sincere Kogites, we appreciate Mr President for giving us the opportunity, the resources to put up this gigantic university in Kogi State.

“I will add to it that as a Kogite, you have no reason not allow the President to continue doing what he is doing in Kogi State University, not to allow him to continue doing what he is doing in Abuja-Lokoja-Okene- Benin road and particularly, what he is doing in Ajaokuta where we have all hope that by the grace of God, before the end of this year, Ajaokuta will bounce back,” he said.

The Commissioner added that Kogi people had always demonstrated support for the President and the ruling APC by voting for the party in every election and will do so again in 2027.

“What you are seeing on Social media is not in tandem with what is happening in Kogi because we know what he is doing on our highways, we know what he is doing in Ajaokuta, we know how is giving our governor resources to do all these projects.

“The governor does not pretend that he is getting all these resources from Mr President, thereby enabling us to know why and how we should appreciate Mr President and that’s what we are seeing in Kogi and that’s why you will see that in every election, APC is always winning here by high margin,” he said.

Earlier, the Director of Administration of CUSTECH, Mohammed Ahmed had told journalists on the tour that investments by the Federal Government through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) have helped to position the institution as one of the fastest growing in the country.

He listed projects delivered in the institution by the federal government to include the Faculty of Science Complex, Faculty of Environmental Sciences Complex, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences Complex as well as the Faculty of Anatomy, valued at over N2.3bn.

Ahmed also said TETFund had also supported the institution through the 2025 Special Intervention (Renewed Hope Initiative) by the construction of the female hostel, Project Maintenance Intervention as well as in academic and research support.

The Renewed Hope Ambassadors and the media team also inspected the Barefoot Renewable Energy College and the Green Hydrogen Research & Demonstration Pilot Plant established in the university by the Federal Government through the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN).

The College and Green Hydrogen Research & Demonstration Pilot Plant were established to equip Nigerian youths with practical skills in renewable energy technologies towards development of a skilled workforce capable of installing, operating, and maintaining clean energy systems.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication and also the leader of the delegation, Sunday Dare, said the tremendous physical and academic development witnessed in the university was a fallout of the courageous reform policies taken by the President, which has freed more funds to the states.

“When you look at the cardinal points of the eight – point Agenda of the President, education stands on a solid place in that list. There is no better adroit testimony to what we have seen at the Confluence University of Science and Technology.

“For the 21st Century economy, there is primacy for science and technology. We have seen the investments that have come here. We have seen the benefits of continuity on the part of the former governor, Yahaya Bello and we have seen Governor Usman Ododo follow through.”

Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Engagement, Strategy and New Media, Mr. Otega Ogara, said the Barefoot Renewable Energy College and Green Hydrogen Research & Demonstration Pilot Plant will equip Nigerian youths with practical skills in renewable energy technologies, which will focus on developing a skilled workforce capable of installing, operating, and maintaining clean energy systems.

“The College is the second globally, after the one in India. The Hydrogen Plant is the second in Africa,” he said.

The media team also inspected the Kabba Junction section of the Abuja – Lokoja Expressway, which is also the starting point of the Lokoja – Benin Expressway.

Dedaat told journalists that the Abuja-Lokoja highway had been in a very deplorable condition due to abandonment by past administrations but has now been earmarked for completion by President Bola Tinubu.

The road has been divided into five different sections, each awarded to a different contractor to speed up its early completion.

The Commissioner also commended President Tinubu for approving the project and others across the state.

The media team also inspected the GYB Model Science Secondary School, Nagazi, established by the Kogi State Government under its Mega School initiative to expand access to quality science and technology education.

Commissioned by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo on 13 April 2026, the model school was equipped with facilities to deliver top notch education including fully equipped Physics, Chemistry and Biology laboratories, ICT laboratory, Digital library and e-learning facilities and 326-seat Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre among others.

The media team also inspected the Kogi State University in Kabba, which has seen marked development in just two years, Mopa Primary Health Centre, some completed inner roads in Kabba-Bunu and the erosion control project in Kabba under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in mid arid areas put together by Governor Ododo in the first day of the media tour.

Kogi Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Olorunfemi Fanwo had told members of the media team at a reception on Sunday that Kogi Rebrand Initiative of the Governor Ododo administration was meant to change the narratives of the state through impactful infrastructure and people – oriented programmes.