Yahaya Bello’s Deputy, Edward Onoja Narrates How He Was Backstabbed By The Former Governor 

Chief Edward Onoja, Kogi State former deputy governor, has made some fascinating expositions about his former principal, former governor Yahaya Bello.

Speaking with Seun Okinbaloye on his Mic On Podcast, chief Edward Onoja narrated how his relationship with Yahaya Bello went sour, accusing his former boss of betrayal.

The former deputy governor of Kogi State revealed how Yahaya Bello whom he referred to as his friend, reneged on the promise he made to him. According to him, Yahaya Bello in 2019 assured him wholeheartedly that he would take over from him as the governor of Kogi State when he finishes his second tenure. Edward Onoja explained that he felt he was backstabbed by Yahaya Bello when he chose the current governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo as his successor and at his expense.

He said: “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”.

Usman Ododo became the governor of Kogi State in 2014, succeeding Yahaya Bello whose governorship administration he served as the auditor-general for local government areas in Kogi State. His emergence as Yahaya Bello’s successor came at the expense of Yahaya Bello’s deputy governor, Edward Onoja governorship ambition as he was defeated by Usman Ododo in the All Progressive Congress (APC) primary election.

Yahaya Bello since officially exiting the governor’s office, has been in the news for the negative – his corruption scandal and case with the EFCC as well as his overwhelming influence on the Kogi State government have seemingly tainted his name in the public eye.

Governor Usman Ododo has been described as a mere puppet to the former governor who is accused of being a proxy governor.