Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has described the former Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Prince Matthew Kolawole, as a true leader whose influence and commitment to his people have remained evident even after leaving office.
Governor Ododo made the remarks when Team YomiKola, led by Prince Matthew Kolawole, and their supporters paid a courtesy visit to him at the Kogi State Government House, Lokoja.
The Governor said the continued loyalty and support of the people who served under Kolawole’s political leadership was a clear indication that the former Speaker had carried his followers along and maintained strong relationships with them.
According to him, leadership should not be measured only by the position occupied, but also by the ability of a leader to maintain the confidence, trust and unity of his people after leaving office.
Ododo expressed confidence in Kolawole’s leadership qualities, urging him to continue doing his best for the people and the state.
The Governor said he believed in Prince Kolawole and appreciated the former Speaker’s commitment to the development and progress of Kogi State.
He noted that the gathering of Team YomiKola and its supporters at the Government House demonstrated that Kolawole had built a political structure founded on relationships and mutual trust.
Governor Ododo further encouraged the former Speaker to remain committed to his principles and continue to contribute positively to the administration and the overall development of the state.
Earlier, Prince Matthew Kolawole expressed gratitude to Governor Ododo for receiving him and members of Team YomiKola, describing the visit as an opportunity to reaffirm their respect for the Governor and commitment to the progress of Kogi State.
The meeting brought together members and supporters of the Team YomiKola political structure, highlighting the former Speaker’s continued engagement with his political associates.
The former Speaker expressed appreciation to the governor for granting the group an opportunity to interface with him, saying the meeting had helped to dispel what he described as erroneous claims that he withdrew from the political contest out of fear.
According to him, 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.
Kolawole said the delegation at the meeting 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 working for the party despite what he described as past political challenges.
The former Speaker also appealed to Governor Ododo to consider more members of the group for appointments, claiming that about 90 per cent of its members had yet to receive appointments in the state government.
He commended the Ododo administration for what he described as 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 measures in Kabba and developments at Kogi State University, Kabba.
Kolawole further disclosed that Team Yomikola had outlined a series of programmes to mobilise support for the governor’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 on the governor completing two terms.
He added that the group planned to organise a Kogi Summit in November to highlight projects and human-impact initiatives of the administration.
According to him, 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 was preparing to undertake more political activities in the coming months in support of the APC and the governor.
While acknowledging that some political actors from Kogi West had begun expressing interest in the governorship, Kolawole said Team Yomikola’s position was that Governor Ododo should be allowed to complete eight years in office.
He, however, appealed to Governor Ododo to support the emergence of a successor from Kogi West in 2031, describing the request as one based on equity and rotation.
Kolawole also appealed to the governor to consider appointing at least 10 members of the Team Yomikola political family into government.
He assured Governor Ododo that the members of the structure would continue to communicate the administration’s programmes and directives to their supporters across the constituency.
