₦airaland Forum

Former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Edward Onoja, has opened up about how 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. — The Bureau News.

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.

Four Years of Assurance

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.

Bello’s Choice: Ododo Over Onoja

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.

Remaining Loyal to APC

Despite his disappointment, Onoja emphasized 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.

For more updates on politics and governance, follow The Bureau News.

Source: https://thebureau.com.ng/edward-onoja-yahaya-bello-support-withdrawal-kogi-apc-nigeria-news-today/

This is very funny

I remembered how Edward was threatening his people who were crying out to the world because of hunger and non payment of salary by Bello.

It took Dino Melaye and the entire federal lawmakers to contribute food and relief materials for Kogi people.

Yahaya Bello's government allegedly stopped the food and other relief materials from getting to Kogi people.

People really saw hell in the hands of Bello.

So, Mr. Edward, what changed?

Nah them them, betray and betray, Nigeria politicians and lies are 5 and 6

Simply put: Onoja doesn't have any political momentum to contest an election.
Bello most likely told more than 20 people that they'll succeed him. That's the way politics is.

Hmmmm ! Thats politricks for you !! You can never truly tell who has your best interests at heart & anybody can betray you at anytime.No permanent friend or enemy in politricks.

A typical case of another crying baby when things was going good we didn't hear any wailing 🤣

What type of baby politician are you? You're placing your trust in a politician who promised his constituents paradise during the gubernatorial campaign but couldn't even deliver on that. He is the most ineffective young governor in the history of democracy in Africa.

Whao! Bello didn't betrayed you Oga Onoja. Rather you all fell out of your greed and egocentric quest for political power and control as there is no honor among thieves. Abeg make we hear word.

Bello used that tactic to keep Onoja in check till it's too late to cause mayhem.

Your experiences with GYB is nothing strange in Nigeria political culture where incumbent governor's annoint thier successors for very obvious reasons for not wanting to be exposed and betrayed by successors, and looking back you will notice that GYB got it perfectly right in choosing the current governor who turned out to be loyal, infact look around the whole Nigerian old governors and their successors relationships and you will agree that is a smart ass, again Ododos calmness,humility, competencies and sense of gratefulness has really eandeared him to all and sundry, he is going to win his second term easily InshaAllah

Editorialtimes:
Source: https://thebureau.com.ng/edward-onoja-yahaya-bello-support-withdrawal-kogi-apc-nigeria-news-today/

Politics changes people.

So the desperation to rule a state made Edward sell his conscience?

This dude was super nice if you knew him.

I wonder if I will ever meet him again. I would love to sit with him and have a long talk.

PremiumTech:


This is very funny

I remembered how Edward was threatening his people who were crying out to the world because of hunger and non payment of salary by Bello.

It took Dino Melaye and the entire federal lawmakers to contribute food and relief materials for Kogi people.

Yahaya Bello's government allegedly stopped the food and other relief materials from getting to Kogi people.

People really saw hell in the hands of Bello.

So, Mr. Edward, what changed?

They are still seeing the hell now oh cos the poverty rate in Kogi state is extremely high as we speak

You betrayed Ur own people (The Igalas)
Because you wanted to be Governor.
U betrayed the Former Deputy Governor and made sure he was removed and U occupied his position.
U turn around to expect Bello to trust you.
Remember when you sell your own Brother,even the buyer will not trust you.

Onoja, governorship is not your birthright. You fight for it .

Onoja doesn't even look like a serious
person..

Ooooooooooooop

Yahya bello the white ekuke. Should be in panti or alagbon eating watery beans if it were in saner climes.

Onoja and his thugs were the weapon Yahaya Bello used to oppress the Igala people.

A stranger alone cannot fully subdue the Igalas, so Bello used one of their own — an Igala man — to finish the work against his own people.

If there is a curse upon those who betray their own tribe, then surely Onoja cannot escape it.

Bello would have made a huge mistake if onoja succeeded him. He has been behaving like governor when he was deputy governor.

Really he said this? I remember a few years back when this man was calling Sowore all sorts of names. Very sad. Very disappointing.

This is the sweetest betrayal of all time. I am so happy to her this. You cannot betray your people and expect not to be paid in that same coin.

In Nigeria's political history, has any governor willingly allowed the deputy governor to become the successor?

Onoja would have been worse than Bello. I'm not saying that Ododo the clown is any better o
They're birds of a feather.

Feudal mindset of a feudal nation. It is not about personal conviction borne out of a heart burning vision to serve a down trodden people. Rather it is about serving the king whose word is law.

Democracy as a tool of development and nation building will continue to be a mirage in this autocratic fiefdom called Nigeria.

As we continue to say, it is remarkably easy to understand how the black man was sold into slavery enmasse. We are just not wired to be Republican. To be capable of forging viable, prosperous societies through the power of independent diverse thought.

PremiumTech:


This is very funny

I remembered how Edward was threatening his people who were crying out to the world because of hunger and non payment of salary by Bello.

It took Dino Melaye and the entire federal lawmakers to contribute food and relief materials for Kogi people.

Yahaya Bello's government allegedly stopped the food and other relief materials from getting to Kogi people.

People really saw hell in the hands of Bello.

So, Mr. Edward, what changed?

don't mind him. He killed his political career by himself. He never start to dey cry sef

You think you were wise that why you betrayed the whole Igala for your selfish interest. Thief

To think that Bello got his first Governorship office without even being on the ballot papers is one of the wonders of Nigeria.

The running mate of the flagbearer who was on the ballot was not even allowed to come near them

But you first betrayed your own tribe. That is why igalas the majority have not been able to be governor till date
You betrayed your people to Bello thinking the same Bello will trust you with power? Lolzz it doesn't work that way Mr Man

Kingdavid579:
Onoja and his thugs were the weapon Yahaya Bello used to oppress the Igala people.

A stranger alone cannot fully subdue the Igalas, so Bello used one of their own — an Igala man — to finish the work against his own people.

If there is a curse upon those who betray their own tribe, then surely Onoja cannot escape it.

igala people have been oppressing themselves for a long time... Even when u people were d ones in power... What did u do to enhance d life of igala people... Abegi

ComeToJesus:
To think that Bello got his first Governorship office without even being on the ballot papers is one of the wonders of Nigeria.

It's the magic of Buhari cabal that year.

At the end nothing lasts forever. Most of those first set of Buhari cabal plus Buhari himself have died without carrying their billions.
Everyone including all of us will leave with nothing

GYB did his best to retain power in his previously marginalized zone. The state is owned by virtually three ethnic groups, but the Igalas were obsessed with power. I know that an Ebira man would not have become governor in normal times if it weren't for the death of Abubakar Audu, which finally changed the political calculation.
I am convinced that there are good leaders in all tribes, but ethnicity will not allow the emergence of a people-oriented leader. The Igala should rest; Kogi State does not belong to them alone; after all, they are no different from GYB when it comes to bad leadership. I am certain that the current governor also comes from this same line of politicians who have nothing to offer. There has been no significant news regarding developments in Kogi since he came to power.