Jalingo, Nigeria – The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Usman Ododo, made headlines this weekend after reportedly attending the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum Gala Night in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State. The event, hosted by Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, followed a meeting of the PDP Governors Forum and was intended to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Taraba State.
The presence of Governor Ododo, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), at an event predominantly attended by PDP governors has raised eyebrows across the nation, particularly in light of his recent victory at the Supreme Court, which affirmed his election as governor of Kogi State. The unexpected appearance has sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with many Nigerians questioning the rationale behind his attendance at a PDP function.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, who shared images from the event on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, @GovernorAUF, highlighted the cultural significance of the gala night. His post, accompanied by pictures including one of Governor Ododo flanked by PDP governors, read: “Yesterday, after our @OfficialPDPNig Governors Forum meeting, @GovAgbuKefas hosted a vibrant Gala Night showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Taraba. From the colorful displays to the captivating performances, it was truly a night to remember. Thank you, Taraba, for your warm hospitality.”
This post quickly drew attention to Governor Ododo’s participation, prompting questions and speculation on social media. Users expressed surprise, confusion, and curiosity about why an APC governor would attend a PDP event, especially just hours after his Supreme Court victory.
One X user, @PrinceOfIgala, commented, “Is that not Ododo, who got the Supreme Court judgement yesterday? I will be glad if that is Ododo who got Supreme Court judgment yesterday I am seeing there.” Another user, @Ayotund1, wrote, “Ododo dey PDP be that o,” while @hon_Asadiq questioned, “What brought Ododo here please?”
The presence of Governor Ododo at the PDP event has not only intrigued the public but also ignited discussions about potential political undercurrents and the significance of such cross-party interactions. As of now, neither Governor Ododo nor his office has released a statement clarifying his attendance at the gala night.
The Supreme Court had earlier on Friday dismissed an appeal by Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate Murtala Ajaka, who sought to overturn the Kogi governorship election results, which saw Governor Ododo declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with 446,237 votes against Ajaka’s 259,052 votes.
Governor Ododo’s attendance at the PDP Governors Forum Gala Night, just hours after securing his position through a decisive legal victory, has added a new dimension to the political landscape in Kogi State and beyond, leaving many to ponder the implications of this unexpected development.