Kogi SDP Publicity Secretary Slams Governor Ododo Over Unpaid Wages, Security Issues

Isaiah Ijele, Publicity Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State, on Wednesday condemned Governor Usman Ododo for withholding workers’ salaries, describing it as a “sin.”

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Ijele emphasized that paying workers’ wages is a government obligation, not an achievement.

“I don’t know if you believe that payment of salaries and wages — even the holy books say labourers are worthy of their wages, and it’s a sin to withhold the wages of labourers,” he said. “It’s not an achievement but a compulsory commitment on the part of the government. They can’t keep working if you don’t pay them.”

He further accused Governor Ododo of colluding with his political godfather and former governor Yahaya Bello to mismanage the state.

Ijele questioned Ododo’s track record and campaign visibility, noting, “During the election, we saw him campaigning alongside former governor GYB. How many times did you see him talking? He never granted any interview.”

Highlighting the state’s pressing challenges, Ijele pointed to inadequate infrastructural development and worsening insecurity under Ododo’s watch.

“Are you aware that most vehicles can’t even ply that road to the East because of kidnapping?” he asked.

He also praised the SDP’s role as a responsible opposition in Kogi State, saying, “When others perform, we applaud; when they don’t, we tell them to their face.”

Concluding, Ijele remarked, “Ododo doesn’t have a manifesto, so he can’t even tell us what he has done, despite the billions flowing into the state right now.”