Kogi Governorship Race, the former deputy Governor of kogi state, Edward Onoja, has disclosed how his former boss, Yahaya Bello, who has once promised him the governorship seat, later withdrew his support and endorsed Usman Ododo,
The current Governor Onoja made the revelation during a candid conversation with Seun Okinbaloye on the MIC On Podcast, where he detailed the behind-the-scenes politics that influenced Bello’s succession plan.
He mentioned that Bello had personally assured him, years ahead of the 2023 elections, that he would be his chosen successor.
Four years before 2023, Yahaya Bello called me and said, ‘You will succeed me. Get prepared.
It was shocking and disappointing when he told me he had chosen Ododo, because when a friend gives you his word, you expect him to be bound by it, Onoja recounted.
When asked if he regretted serving under Bello, Onoja insisted he did not.
Not at all, I have no regret serving Yahaya Bello
It was a great experience for the two young men being trusted into the position of power.
There could be some issues, but no regret at all. Because he had given me opportunities to learn, to grow, to network and he has given me a national face, he said.
When he was asked whether Bello actually encouraged him to join the governorship race, Onoja replied:
Let’s say he did make some of us go pick up our forms.
He explained that seven cabinet members, including him, picked up forms to contest the primaries, only for Bello to side with Ododo at the last minute.
When he brought the news to me a day before the primaries, I told him, ‘You are the boss. You are over me and what you see is what I see.
Let’s go get the job done. But I hope you are not making a mistake, Onoja recalled.
Asked how Bello broke the news to him, he said it was in a private, physical conversation.
He said, let’s send somebody else, one of us. And he gave some reasons.
One, surprisingly, he said my capacity was too much. And I don’t know what that meant.
Secondly, he did say that my people of Kogi East do not really like me because I supported a Gala person like himself for power, Onoja disclosed.
Bello, according to Onoja, also hinted that he might find him a role at the federal level.
Despite the disappointment, the former deputy governor said he accepted his fate.
He was the boss… I felt it’s not God’s time. Maybe there’s something bigger ahead, he said.
Four years before 2023, Yahaya Bello called me and said,
‘You will succeed me. Get prepared.’ It was shocking and disappointing when he told me he had chosen Ododo, because when a friend gives you his word, you expect him to be bound by it.
