Reason for Cold War between Kogi State Governor, Yahyah Bello and His Deputy Edward Onoja

Edward Onoja as Chief Of Staff to his principal, Governor Yahyah Bello of Kogi State, was an influencal factor in Governor Bello’s first term as Governor. In 2011 they both coordinated Kogi Youths to campaign vigorously for President Buhari to become President. After that moment, Bello and Onoja were best of friends. They continued to play politics until, Bello was declared Governor in 2016. There was no better way to compensate a friend than make him the Chief of Staff, one of the most powerful office in any government.

For his immense contribution and unflinching loyalty to Bello, Onoja was rewarded with the deputy governor slot after former Kogi deputy governor, Mr Simon Achuba was impeached by the Kogi House of Assembly.

As Chief of Staff, Onoja a graduate of Geology from the University of Jos, handpicked over 80% of Bello’s cabinet members. At a point, he was the Defacto Governor of Kogi. Discharging his duty diligently devoid of nepotism and favouritism, his Igala people were angry at him for not allowing them have a close rapport with Governor Bello.

In recent times after their second tenure swearing in, there has been some media report making the round about rancor and cold war brewering between Yahyah Bello and his deputy Edward Onoja. Reports from Kogi, has it that; their once sweet relation has gone sour immediately Onoja was swore in as Deputy Governor. “With Onoja’s wide influence across the state, Bello now see him as a threat. Bello is aware that Onoja has the ambition to Govern Kogi state in 2023, so with his role as the deputy governor, he is an inch away from achieving that. He is an Igala man, the highest ethnic group in Kogi. If Bello does not cut the amount of influence he has in his government, the way he had it during his first tenure, there would be problem.”

Another close source to the Kogi State government disclosed that; “There’s no fight or quarrel presently. Governor Bello is just taking more grip of his government this term.The kind of influence Edward Onoja had as COS is being whittled down as Deputy Governor. Onoja handpicked about 80% of the last cabinet members including the former Deputy that was impeached. This time, governor Bello is more involved in his appointment this is his last tenure so he must exercise his constitutional power. Unlike before when he had unfettered access to the governor, Onoja now has to be scheduled now before he could see the Governor. With all this drastic changes it seems like there is issues between them.”