By Oladapo Sofowora
Yahya you knew Edward Onoja when he was Chief Of Staff to his principal, Governor Yah Yah Bello of Kogi State, you can never ignore his influence in Bello’s first tenure, which helped the government succeed smoothly, devoid of troubles.
He didn’t just start his political sojourn today, he started as an undergraduate student of the University of Jos. For his immense contributions to the success of Bello’s first term laced with his unflinching loyalty, he was rewarded with the Deputy Governorship slot after former Kogi deputy governor, Mr Simon Achuba was impeached by the Kogi State House of Assembly.
During that period, the University of Jos graduate of Geology and Mining was regarded the defacto Governor of Kogi State.
Gov. Bello allowed him handled all political related matter in Kogi State while he focused more on his transformation agenda for Kogi State.
As the Chief of Staff, he handpicked over 80 per cent of Bello’s cabinet to show how he was trusted. He discharged his duty diligently devoid of nepotism and favouritism.
This we gathered, got his kinsmen from Igala land angry. He was alleged to have blocked them from having access to the Governor during his first term.
Now that the father of three is the Deputy Governor, his principal we gathered is holding a grip on his last tenure as Governor, differently from when he allowed Onoja ran the government.
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For few weeks now, rumour have been making the round over the alleged fall out between the duo. Several media reportage alleged that; there is a cold war between them.
A close source to the Kogi State government divulged to Society Rendezvous that; “There’s no fight or quarrel presently but the governor is taking more hold of his government this term.
The kind of influence Edward Onoja wielded as CoS is whittled down as Deputy Governor. He brought about 80per cent of the last cabinet including the former Deputy but this time, the governor is more involved in the appointment.
Unlike when he had unfettered access to the governor he has to be scheduled now before he could see the Governor.”
As the race for who succeed Governor Yahya Bello in 2023 has began, with the astronomic rise of Onoja from CoS to deputy governor, all fingers are pointing to Onoja as the perfect replacement and annoited candidate to run for 2023 Gubernatorial, under the All Progressive Congress APC.
Society Rendezvous further gathered that; his aggrieved kinsmen from Igala land who felt Onoja blocked them from having access to the Governor when he was Cos, are currently at loggerheads with him.
The source further disclosed that; “His major battle is with his Igala people who feel he blocked them out from having access to the governor when he was COS.
Some of the bad media is also a fallout of the race for 2023 when power is expected to go to Kogi West so the rotation would have been completed.”
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