Ododo Not Leaving APC, Kogi Govt Explains Photo With PDP Govs

The Kogi State Government has explained why Governor Usman Ododo appeared in a viral photo with governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In the photo posted on X ( formerly Twitter), on Saturday, by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, Governor Ododo was wearing similar attire with his colleagues in the PDP.
The photo has since sparked an argument online, fuelling speculation that Governor Ododo, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is planning to defect to the PDP.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, said Governor Ododo was not contemplating dumping the APC.
Mr Fanwo said the photo of Governor Ododo with the PDP governors was taken at the wedding ceremony of the daughter of the Governor of Taraba State, Kefas Agbu.
According to the statement, “We would have ignored the blatant falsehood, but we owe the public the duty of correct and adequate information.
“The promoters of the falsehood are people who are still rueing their woeful failure at the law courts and probably trying to find a back door into the All Progressives Congress, hence, their resort to the only tools at their disposal, which are falsehood, propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation.
“The picture being circulated was taken at the wedding ceremony of the daughter of the Taraba State Governor, His Excellency, Agbu Kefas, which was attended by dignitaries across the country, including the Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima, as well as governors across party lines.
“His Excellency, Alh Ahmed Usman Ododo was at the occasion to honour the daughter of a colleague like other governors did.”
Mr Fanwo said it is “unintelligent” to insinuate that the governor was abandoning the party that supported him all through his electioneering and the litigation.
“Their craft of lies is falling like a pack of cards,” the commissioner said, adding that “We want to assure the good people of Kogi State that their Governor remains a solid member of the All Progressives Congress and will support the party’s success, not only in Kogi State but nationally.
“We urge the people to rest assured that Kogi remains APC and will continue to support the laudable policies and progress being recorded by the President of our dear nation, His Excellency Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.”
On Friday, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court upheld the election of Ododo as the governor of Kogi State.
The court dismissed the appeal filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Murtala Ajaka, its governorship candidate, for lack of merit.
The court also discharged the appeal by the Action Alliance (AA) and its candidate, Olayinka Baimoh, against Ododo’s victory.