The Kogi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in April, presented Ahmed Usman Ododo as its 2023 governorship candidate. Ododo was said to have defeated six rivals at a primary election where he reportedly polled 78,704 out of 83,419 accredited voters.
Ododo, as announced by the Secretary of the National APC Governorship Primary Committee, Patrick Obahiagbon, won the party ticket ahead of the likes of Shaibu Audu who scored 763 votes; a former Minister of State, Stephen Ochen, who polled 552 votes, a former Executive Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Sanusi Ohiare, who scored 424 votes while the Senator representing Kogi West in the National Assembly, Smart Adeyemi scored 311 votes.
Naija News reports that Ododo is the anointed candidate of the incumbent Governor, Yahaya Bello.
The former Auditor General of the state will be contesting the state’s number one political position alongside 17 other candidates including Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dirisu Bala Abdulghafar of the NRM, Yakubu Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Omale Samson Agada of the YPP, Ilonah Idoko Kingsley of APGA and others.
Profile Of Usman Ododo
Ododo is a Nigerian politician who hails from Okene, in the Okene Local Government area of Kogi State. He is the former Auditor General of Kogi state. The APC candidate was a member of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, a special assistant to the governor and chairman of the Kogi State Youth Council.
The Kogi State politician was born on February 7, 1982, in Ogun State, South-West part of the country, making him 41 years of age at the moment.
Usman Ododo’s Educational Background
Having obtained his First School Leaving Certificate and West African Senior School Certificate, Ododo proceeded to the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Kaduna State, where he obtained a degree in Political science.
Professional Affiliation And Certificates
The Kogi APC governorship candidate is observed to have earned himself some certifications from professional bodies and associations relevant to his profession as he continues to build his portfolio.
Odod is a member of the:
Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) as a registered Professional
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Finance & Control of Nigeria (CIFCN)
Certified Participant of the Chartered Institute of Finance & Control of Nigeria (CIFCON)
Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria
Chartered Member of the Nigeria Institute of Management
Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) among others
Working Experience:
Before his ambition to become the governor of Kogi State, Ododo had quietly had a track record of working experience with the state government, among others.
From 1997 until his eventual appointment as Auditor General for Local Government in Kogi State, Ododo worked as Kogi State industrial Training Personnel from 1997 to 1998 at his alma mater, Local Government Secondary School, Upogoro-Okene.
Ododo had work experience with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in Owerri, Imo State, during his NYSC assignment from 2002-2003, Naija News understands.
The Kogi State indigene also had a stint at the National Power Training Institute of Nig (NAPTIN) as its Manager of Finance and the Power Holding Company of Nigeria PLC, Kontagora as Assistant Manager of Revenue and Power Holding Company of Nigeria PLC, Kontagora as Disbursement Officer from 2005-2007.
In 2016, Governor Yahaya Bello, during his first tenure, appointed Ododo as the Auditor General For the Local Government of Kogi State.
Family And Hobbies
The Kogi APC governorship candidate is married with children. Naija News understands that Ododo, besides politics and others, loves playing Table Tennis, volleyball, and teaching which reportedly forms parts of his hobbies.