The political dynamics within Kogi State’s former administration have come into the spotlight as former Deputy Governor Edward Onoja has revealed that he was promised the governorship by his former boss, Yahaya Bello, who then failed to deliver on the pledge.
Speaking in an interview with Channels Television, Onoja stated that Bello had assured him as far back as 2019 that he would be his successor. Onoja, who served as Deputy Governor from 2019 to 2024, said he was both “shocked and disappointed” when Bello instead chose Usman Ododo as the candidate for the 2023 governorship election.
“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 said.
Despite the setback, Onoja expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have worked with the former governor. He acknowledged that the experience helped him grow, network, and gain national recognition.
It is worth noting that Onoja had a long-standing relationship with Bello, having served as his Chief of Staff from 2016 until he became Deputy Governor in 2019. The two were often described as being in an inseparable bond. When Bello finally made his choice of successor known to his cabinet, Onoja was among several other aspirants who stepped down for Ododo.
