Gov Usman Ododo Governor insists governance must shift closer to the people as officials take charge of the CVR exercise
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has issued a firm directive to all commissioners, senior political appointees, and government officials under his administration to immediately return to their respective local government areas in a renewed push for grassroots engagement and mobilisation in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
The order, which takes effect from Monday, September 1, 2025, was communicated through a circular released by the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Ayoade, and made public by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, on Saturday.
According to the circular, each local government’s highest-ranking political appointee will coordinate the activities of other appointees from the same area. They are expected to mobilise at the ward level, supervise registration efforts, and submit a detailed report at the end of the exercise, showing the number of new voters registered across the wards and local councils.
Governor Ododo underscored that the new directive represents a deliberate shift from centralised governance in the state capital to people-oriented leadership that prioritises direct interaction with citizens at the community level. He stressed that public officials must not only be seen to govern but must also be accessible and responsive to the needs and aspirations of their communities.
The Governor further emphasised that effective governance cannot thrive in isolation from the grassroots, noting that his administration is committed to deepening people-driven governance while boosting voter participation in the electoral process.
To ensure compliance, the circular also spelt out that any political appointee who wishes to leave their assigned local government during the mobilisation period must secure prior written approval from the Secretary to the State Government. Failure to comply with this requirement, it warned, would attract disciplinary action.
Fanwo, in his statement to journalists, reaffirmed the Ododo administration’s commitment to fostering inclusivity, transparency, and accountability by strengthening grassroots political participation. He added that the mobilisation effort was not just about the CVR exercise but also about restoring citizens’ confidence in government and encouraging them to take ownership of governance.
With the directive now in force, commissioners and other top officials will take up residence in their LGAs, working closely with communities to drive the voter registration campaign and build stronger links between the government and the people it serves.
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