Former Kogi State Deputy Governor Edward Onoja has explained why former Governor Yahaya Bello did not choose him as his successor. In a recent interview on the Mic On podcast, Onoja said Bello had initially promised to back his candidacy but later withdrew that support. According to Onoja, Bello gave three main reasons for preferring Governor Usman Ododo. First, Bello claimed Onoja’s capacity and qualifications were too extensive, suggesting he might be too powerful to succeed him. Second, Bello said Onoja’s support for a non‑Igala candidate had alienated him from his own people in Kogi East. Third, Bello indicated he envisioned alternative roles for Onoja at the national level, which would allow them to work together.
Onoja, who previously served as Bello’s Chief of Staff before becoming Deputy Governor, expressed no regrets about his time under the former governor. He acknowledged that Bello provided valuable opportunities for growth, networking and national recognition, and recalled that Bello had encouraged him to prepare for the governorship as early as four years before the 2023 elections. When the moment arrived for Bello to decide, however, he ultimately backed Ododo’s candidacy. Onoja said he accepted Bello’s decision, noting that as his superior, Bello’s judgment took precedence, though he hoped the governor was not making a mistake by passing him over.
The episode highlights the complex dynamics of Nigerian politics, where alliances and power struggles heavily influence decision‑making. As the country navigates its political landscape, the relationship between figures like Onoja and Bello will remain under scrutiny. Onoja’s revelations give the public a clearer picture of the factors behind Bello’s choice, and the implications of this decision are likely to unfold in the weeks and months ahead.
Comments are closed for this story.