Former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Edward Onoja, has claimed that the immediate past Governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, promised that he would be his successor, but failed to fulfil his promise.
Onoja made the claim on Saturday during an interview with Channels Television, adding that the former Governor made the promise to him in 2019.
He added that he was shocked and disappointed when Bello went ahead to pick Usman Ododo as his successor despite the earlier promise made to him.
“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,”
Despite missing out on the governorship slot, Onoja appreciated the opportunity to work with Bello, stating that it was a great experience. He appreciated the former Governor for giving him the opportunity to learn, grow, network and get a national face.
It would be recalled that Edward Onoja served as the Deputy Governor of Kogi State from 2019 to 2024. He was Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kogi State from January 2016 to October 2019, when he assumed office as Deputy Governor.
By Oladipo Abiola
