Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has openly praised what he described as his “working cabal,” drawing public attention after naming the leader and members of the group during a recent official event in the state.
The governor made the statement while speaking at a commissioning ceremony for projects executed by his administration. His remarks came amid ongoing public discussions and political criticism over the influence of close aides and loyal officials around elected leaders, often referred to as a “cabal” in Nigerian political language.
In a speech delivered with humour and confidence, Governor Ododo acknowledged that he has a cabal and defended it strongly, saying the group has performed well and delivered results for the people of Kogi State.
Governor Ododo said he was surprised by the attention given to the word “cabal,” which is often used negatively to describe a small group controlling power behind the scenes. He explained that, in his view, what matters is performance and service delivery, not labels.
“Let me specially and profoundly recognise and appreciate the leader of my own cabal,” the governor said. “I was a member of a cabal, but my own cabal then could not perform the way this present cabal are working.”
He added that if having a cabal means having a group of officials who work hard and deliver results, then there is nothing wrong with it. According to him, such a group should be encouraged rather than criticised.
“If any cabal can work like this, I think we should have multiple cabal, as many as you can,” Ododo said.
In a move that surprised many observers, Governor Ododo openly named the leader of what he called his cabal. He identified Hajiya Dr. Habibat Tijjani Aliyu, the Accountant-General of Kogi State, as the head of the group.
He explained that her appointment and leadership role had the approval of his predecessor, former Governor Yahaya Bello, under whom Ododo served before becoming governor.
“The leader of my own cabal, approved by His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, is Hajiya Dr. Habibat Tijjani Aliyu FCNA, the Accountant-General of our dear state,” he said.
The governor credited her and the team for the achievements being commissioned, stressing that their efforts were responsible for the success recorded by his administration so far.
Governor Ododo also listed other senior officials as members of the cabal. These include the Auditor-General of the state, the Chairman of the ruling party in Kogi, the Officer in Charge of Protocol, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
He described the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs as a “critical member” of the group, noting the importance of local governance and traditional institutions in the development of the state.
By mentioning these officials publicly, the governor appeared to be pushing back against claims of secret control or hidden power, choosing instead to be open about those he works closely with.
Governor Ododo also spoke about his time serving under former Governor Yahaya Bello. He described himself as part of a cabal during that period but admitted that the group he belonged to did not perform as well as his current team.
“I was a cabal under my principal and boss, but my own cabal could not perform,” he said. “How I wish my own cabal then could perform more magnificent.”
This comment was seen by many as a rare moment of honesty and reflection, as well as a subtle attempt to show that leadership improves with experience.
The governor’s remarks also addressed ongoing rumours and criticisms from members of the public who claim that he is being controlled by a small group of people. He said he had received calls directed at him, his wife, his mother, and even former Governor Yahaya Bello over the issue.
“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,” he said firmly.
This statement drew applause from supporters at the event and has since sparked debate across political circles and social media platforms.
In Nigerian politics, the word “cabal” is often used to describe a small group of powerful individuals believed to influence decisions behind the scenes. The term gained wide use during past administrations at the federal level and is usually linked to secrecy and lack of transparency.
However, Governor Ododo’s comments appear to challenge that narrative by openly acknowledging his inner circle and celebrating their work.
Reactions to the governor’s statement have been mixed. Supporters say his honesty and confidence show strong leadership and transparency. Critics, however, argue that public officials should avoid language that suggests power is concentrated in a few hands.