Former Kogi State Deputy Governor Edward David Onoja has disclosed that his former principal, Governor Yahaya Bello, assured him for four years that he would succeed him as governor—only to change his decision a day before the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election.
Onoja revealed this during an interview on the MIC ON Podcast, aired Saturday night, where he reflected on his political journey and his relationship with Bello.
Having served as Chief of Staff for four years before becoming deputy governor under Bello, Onoja said the former governor repeatedly encouraged him by saying, “You will succeed me, get prepared.” He added, “I planned, I worked, and when the time came, he gave all of us the chance to contest.”
Onoja explained that on Bello’s directive, about seven cabinet members—including himself—picked up APC nomination forms, but ultimately, Bello threw his support behind the current governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo.
“At the end of the day, his heart and his choice was with the current governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo,” Onoja stated.
He recalled that Bello broke the news to him just one day before the party primaries. Despite feeling disappointed, Onoja respected the decision.
“When he informed me, I said, ‘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.’ There were no hard feelings, and we worked hard on the ground for our candidate,” Onoja said.
Currently serving as a board member of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), Onoja emphasized his continued commitment to the APC and its candidates, including Ododo, who succeeded Bello as governor of Kogi State.
