“I was assured of succession for four years” – Kogi ex-deputy gov reflects on Yahaya Bello’s last-minute withdrawal

Edward Onoja, the former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, recently revealed that ex-Governor Yahaya Bello had assured him for four years that he would be his successor.

In a surprising turn of events, Bello withdrew his support just a day before the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries.

In an interview on the MIC ON Podcast, Onoja, who now serves on the board of the South-East Development Commission, recounted the journey of his political aspirations.

“For four years before 2023, he (Yahaya Bello) was the one who called me and said, ‘You will succeed me, get prepared,’” Onoja stated. “And of course, I planned, I worked, and when it was time, he gave all of us the opportunity to contest.”

Despite his initial commitment, Bello eventually endorsed Usman Ododo, the current governor, leaving Onoja and other cabinet members surprised after they had been urged to purchase APC nomination forms.

“At the end of the day, his heart and his choice were with the current governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo,” Onoja explained.

Onoja expressed his disappointment when Bello informed him of his decision only a day before the primary elections. “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,’” he recalled.

Despite the unexpected change in support, Onoja emphasized his loyalty to the APC and committed to working towards Ododo’s emergence as Bello’s successor in the upcoming November 2023 governorship election.

Source: PUNCH