Edward Onoja Reveals Why Yahaya Bello Chose Ododo Over Him as Kogi State Governor

By Morris Nor// Former Kogi State Deputy Governor, Edward Onoja, has disclosed the reasons behind former Governor Yahaya Bello’s decision to bypass him as his successor, despite earlier assurances. In an exclusive interview on Saturday, Onoja revealed that Bello cited his “overqualification” as a primary reason for selecting current Governor Usman Ododo instead.

Onoja, who served as Bello’s Chief of Staff before becoming Deputy Governor, recounted a conversation where Bello outlined three key reasons for his decision. “He called me physically, and we spoke. He said, let’s send somebody else and gave some reasons,” Onoja stated. “Surprisingly, he said my capacity was too much. Secondly, he claimed my people in Kogi East do not like me because I supported a non-Igala like him. Finally, he mentioned there could be other roles for me at the national level where he would want me to serve with him.”

According to Onoja, Bello had initially promised him the governorship as early as four years before the 2023 election, encouraging him to prepare for the role. “He was the one who called me and said, ‘You will succeed me, so get prepared,’” Onoja said. He noted that Bello allowed multiple cabinet members to vie for the position, with seven, including himself, obtaining nomination forms. However, Bello ultimately favored Ododo, informing Onoja of his decision just a day before the primaries.

Despite the outcome, Onoja expressed no regrets about his time serving under Bello. “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. Reflecting on the decision, Onoja recalled telling Bello, “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’s revelations shed light on the internal dynamics of Kogi State’s political landscape and Bello’s succession strategy, raising questions about the factors influencing leadership transitions in the state.