Former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Edward Onoja, says ex-Governor Yahaya Bello promised him the governorship ticket for four years, only to withdraw his support on the eve of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries.
Onoja said that Bello reneged on his promise to allow him be the next Governor on grounds of being “too qualified.”
Onoja, who now serves as a board member of the South-East Development Commission, made the revelation during an interview on the MIC ON Podcast released on Saturday.
Recounting his political journey, Onoja explained that Bello, who was his principal both as Chief of Staff and later as Deputy Governor, consistently assured him that he would be his successor.
“For four years before 2023, he (Yahaya Bello) was the one who called me and said, ‘You will succeed me, get prepared.’ And of course, I planned, I worked, and when it was time, he gave all of us the opportunity to contest,” Onoja said.
According to him, about seven cabinet members, including himself, were instructed by Bello to obtain APC nomination forms.
Onoja revealed that Bello’s eventual support went to the current Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo.
“At the end of the day, his heart and his choice were with the current Governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo,” Onoja stated.
He added that Bello informed him of the decision just a day before the primary election.
“When he broke the news to me a day before the primaries, I told him, ‘You are the boss, you are over me, what you see is what I see, so let’s go get the job done, but I hope you are not making a mistake,’” Onoja recounted.
Despite his disappointment, Onoja emphasised his loyalty to the APC and explained that he threw his weight behind Ododo’s candidacy, contributing to his victory in the November 2023 governorship election.
Onoja said: “He called me physically and we spoke, he said let’s send somebody else and he gave some reasons.
“Surprisingly, he said my capacity was too much. Secondly, he did say that my people of Kogi East do not really like me because I supported a non-Igala himself.
“Finally, he did say that there could be other roles that he would have at the centre and he would love me to serve with him.”
However, Onoja said he has no regrets serving the former Governor.
He added: “No regrets for serving with Yahaya Bello but there could be some issues, but no regrets at all because he has given me opportunities to serve, learn, grow, network and he has given me a national face.”
