Audu made the call in a congratulatory message to Ododo in Abuja on Sunday for his inauguration as the fifth governor of the state, along with his deputy, Mr Joel Oyibo.
He urged Ododo to consolidate the achievements of his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, and focus on building sustainable peace and unity for the progress of the state.
The minister, who was the Director-General of the Kogi All Progressives Congress Governorship Campaign Council, expressed confidence that the governor would take Kogi to greater heights.
“Your victory at the polls on November 11, 2023, was very consequential in the history of our dear state, Kogi.
“Your popularity and acceptance across our state were the key factors in your victory at the governorship polls last year.
“As the Director-General of the Kogi APC Governorship Campaign Council, I was confident that you would emerge victorious despite all forms of political intrigues that were playing out.
“Today we celebrate that victory, which marks the beginning of an era of continuity and consolidation of the successful eight-year tenure of former Governor Yahaya Bello,” he said.
Ododo was sworn in as the duly elected governor of Kogi along with his deputy, Salifu, on Saturday, at Muhammadu Buhari Square, Lokoja.
Ododo was elected on the platform of the APC on November 11, 2023, during the Kogi off-cycle governorship election.
The governor was declared the winner after scoring 446,237 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party, who polled 259,052 votes.
Upon assumption of office, Ododo announced the appointment of Dr. Folashade Ayoade as the Secretary to the State Government.
Ayoade, who was the SSG in the last eight years of the immediate past Governor, Yayaha Bello, is from the Kogi West Senatorial district.
The governor also announced the appointment of Ali Bello as Chief of Staff.
(NAN)
