Former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Edward Onoja, has revealed why ex-Governor Yahaya Bello did not pick him as his successor despite earlier promises.
Speaking on the Mic On podcast on Saturday, Onoja said Bello personally told him that his “capacity was too much” and therefore decided to back the current governor, Usman Ododo.
“He called me physically and we spoke, he said let’s send somebody else and he gave some reasons. Surprisingly, he said my capacity was too much. Secondly, he did say that my people of Kogi East do not really like me because I supported a non-Igala himself. Finally, he did say that there could be other roles that he would have at the centre and he would love me to serve with him,” Onoja disclosed.
Onoja, who previously served as Bello’s Chief of Staff before becoming Deputy Governor, said he bore no grudges over the decision.
“No regrets for serving with Yahaya Bello but there could be some issues, but no regrets at all because he has given me opportunities to serve, learn, grow, network and he has given me a national face,” he said.
He recalled that Bello had assured him four years earlier that he would succeed him in 2023 and even encouraged him to prepare for the race.
“He did make some of us go pick up our forms. Four years before 2023, he (Yahaya Bello) was the one who called me and said you will succeed me, so get prepared. And of course, I planned, I worked and when it was time he gave all of us the opportunities, about 10 of us, and seven picked up the forms from the cabinet. At the end of the day, his heart was with the current governor, Usman Ododo.
“So, when he broke the news to me a day before the primaries, I told him that you are the boss, you are over me and what you see is what I see, but I hope you are not making a mistake,” Onoja added.
