Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, has said he remains a member of the ruling party All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ododo clarified insinuations after he appeared in a viral picture with his colleagues in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In the photo posted on X, on Saturday, by Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa, Ododo was wearing similar attire to his colleagues in the PDP.
The photo has since sparked an argument online, fueling speculation that Ododo is planning to defect to the PDP.
His predecessor in the state, Yahaya Bello, who supported him in his election bid, is currently facing serious legal issues with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
However, in a statement released on Saturday, Kingsley Fanwo, Commissioner for Information and Communication, said Ododo is not considering dumping the APC.
Fanwo said the photo of Ododo with PDP governors was taken at the wedding ceremony of the daughter of Agbu Kefas, governor of Taraba.
“We would have ignored the blatant falsehood, but we owe the public the duty of correct and adequate information,” the statement reads.
“The promoters of the falsehood are people who are still rueing their woeful failure at the law courts and probably trying to find a back door into the All Progressives Congress, hence their resort to the only tools at their disposal, which are falsehood, propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation.
“The picture being circulated was taken at the wedding ceremony of the daughter of the Taraba State Governor, His Excellency, Agbu Kefas, which was attended by dignitaries across the country, including the Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, as well as governors across party lines.
“His Excellency Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo was at the occasion to honour the daughter of a colleague like other governors did.”
Fanwo said it is “unintelligent” to insinuate that the governor is abandoning the party that supported him all through his electioneering and the litigation.
“Their craft of lies is falling like a pack of cards,” the commissioner said.
“We want to assure the good people of Kogi State that their Governor remains a solid member of the All Progressives Congress and will support the party’s success, not only in Kogi State but nationally.
“We urge the people to rest assured that Kogi remains APC and will continue to support the laudable policies and progress being recorded by the President of our dear nation, His Excellency Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.”
On Friday, a five-member panel of the supreme court upheld the election of Ododo as the governor of Kogi.
The court dismissed the appeal filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Murtala Ajaka, its governorship candidate, for lack of merit.
The court also discharged the appeal by the Action Alliance (AA) and its candidate, Olayinka Baimoh, against Ododo’s victory.
