Usman Ododo, the governor of Kogi State, has disclosed that he operates what he described as a “working cabal” within his administration.
Ododo made the remark while speaking at a recent project inauguration event.
He noted that he was once part of a cabal during the administration of his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, but said that group delivered limited results.
“I was a member of cabal, but our own cabal could not perform the way these present cabals are working,” he said.
According to the governor, good governance depends largely on how well such groups function.
“If every cabal can work like this, I think we should better have multiple cabals, as many as we can,” he added.
Ododo further stated that he is proud of the cabal operating in his government.
“And I am proud to tell you that I have cabal,” he said.
“One of the achievements of having cabal is what we are about to commission here.”
He identified the head of the group as Habibat Tijani Aliyu, the state’s accountant-general, noting that her appointment was approved by Bello.
“The leader of my cabal, approved by His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Hajia Dr Habibat Tijani Aliyu, the accountant-general of our dear state,” Ododo said.
The governor went on to name other members of the cabal.
“The auditor general is a member of this cabal, the party chairman is a member of this cabal, SA protocol is a member of this cabal, the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs is a critical member of this cabal,” he stated.
He compared the performance of the current group with that of the Bello-era clique.
“How I wish my own cabal then could perform even one percent of this one,” he said.
“So those of you that are calling me, calling my wife, calling my mother, calling Yahaya Bello, that Ododo has cabal, my cabal is a working cabal.”
Ododo, an accountant by profession, previously served as auditor-general for local governments in Kogi State under the Bello administration before assuming office as governor in January 2024.
Bello, Ododo’s predecessor and political benefactor, governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024 and is currently facing a 19-count charge over alleged money laundering amounting to N80.2 billion.