POLITICS TODAY

 The 21 victims kidnapped along the Ajaokuta-Itobe road in Kogi State, on Thursday, have been rescued, within 48 hours, by a joint team of security operatives, comprising personnel of the Nigerian Police Force , Civil Defence and local vigilantes. The victims, predominantly travelers, had been whisked away to an unknown destination within the dense forest around the Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State. Upon receiving report of this distressing incident, His Excellency, Yahaya Bello, CON, the Governor of Kogi State, promptly issued directives to both security agencies and local vigilantes to embark on immediate actions that will lead to the freedom of the captives. He said the perpetrators of this reprehensible act must also be fished out. This directive underscored Governor Bello's unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of the citizens/residents under his charge. The determined efforts of the combined security forces yielded results within 48 hours, leading to

  Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Yahaya Bello, CON, pays a condolence visit on Friday to the family of the late Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, at his residence in the Jericho area of Ibadan, Oyo State. Governor Bello, accompanied by the governor-elect of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, was received by Mrs. Betty Akeredolu, the bereaved wife of the late governor. Expressing heartfelt condolences, Governor Bello states that Akeredolu's earthly sojourn, both in private and public spheres, was profoundly impactful, leaving an indelible mark on humanity until his final breath. He counsels the grieving family to embrace the inevitability of death, urging them to cherish the enduring legacy of the departed. "We were in Lagos for the NGF’s meeting and on a Christmas Homage to President Bola Tinubu when we received the lamentable news of the passing of our elder brother and senior colleague, His Excellency Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN. Your husband

With discussions still ongoing regarding the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State, various socio-political groups in the state have lauded the decisions by the SDP candidate, Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, and the PDP candidate, Senator Dino Melaye, not to challenge the election outcome in court. They described this decision as being in the best interest of the state and a demonstration of sportsmanship, qualities for which the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC is known. The Kogi Progressives for Good Governance group also praised Senator Dino Melaye for not challenging the victory of Ahmed Usman Ododo in court. Honorable Yakubu Murtala Ajaka, who secured the second position in the November 11 governorship polls with a total of 259,052 votes, declared during his appearance on the Channels TV program "Politics Today" on November 13 that he would not contest the victory of APC's candidate Ahmed Usman Ododo at the election petition tribunal. Similarly,

  . Call on Tribunal to fish out members allegedly contracted to execute plan . Vow to challenge any move contrary to law with 'incontrovertible facts' Lawyers and Activists from Kogi State have raised the alarm over what they described as a clandestine move by the Social Democratic Party and its Governorship candidate to file their petition against the outcome of the November 11 election through the backdoor and backdate same to circumvent the provisions of the Electoral Act. The lawyers, under the aegis of the United Front for Democracy, raised the alarm following the closure of the window allowed for the filing of electoral petition with all allegations and petition relating to the petition front-loaded, in line with Section 134 of the Electoral Act. They spoke at a press conference in Lokoja, on Monday.  Convener, United Front for Democracy, Barr. Yetunde Olubunmi Shaibu, who spoke on behalf of the activists, said they had credible intelligence that the SDP candidate had ye

 Traditional rulers in Kogi State have commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies and other stakeholders for the peaceful and credible conduct of the governorship election, which held in the state last Saturday. They congratulated the Governor-elect, Usman Ododo and affirmed the traditional institutions' commitment to continued collaboration with the Kogi State Government to enhance the unity and development achieved under the current administration. The monarchs spoke when they paid a congratulatory visit to the Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Yahaya Bello, CON, at his GRA residence, in Okene, on Tuesday. The Atta Igala and serving President of the Kogi State Traditional Council of Chiefs, His Royal Majesty, Mathew Alaji Opaluwa Ogwuche-Akpa, said the purpose of their visit was to celebrate with the Governor, his administration, and the Governor-elect, Usman Ododo, for the peaceful and successful governorship polls held on November 11, 2023.

  Three weeks to the conduct of the governorship election in Kogi State, an eligibility crisis has erupted in the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Murtala Yakubu (Ajaka) and Abenemi Sam Ranti are the governorship and deputy governorship candidates of the party for the November 11 election.  But, it is no longer at ease with the duo and their supporters as allegations of Perjury, False Declaration, Use of False Document and Possession of Forged Record are not only drizzling literally on their ambition, they are pouring seriously and obliterating any moral compass they have to stand for election and canvass for votes.  The latest scandal is now at the centre of every discussion among voters in the Confluence State. With official confirmation by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to the Department of State Services (DSS) that the running mate allegedly forged the 1979 GCE secondary school certificate he presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the duo may