Kogi Politics: Onoja Clears Name, Says He’s Not Cabal

Former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Edward Onoja, has revealed that he served as the Chief Strategist to former Governor Yahaya Bello, playing a key role in planning political strategies during Bello’s tenure.

Onoja made the disclosure while appearing on the Mic On podcast with Seun Okinbaloye on Saturday, addressing widespread speculation that he was part of a cabal that controlled power behind the scenes.

He clarified:

“I was the Chief Strategist, not the man behind the power or the throne. I was the planner among many planners. We went into the primaries and did very well on August 29th, 2015. Yahaya Bello came runner-up, and we left it to God. On the eve of Prince Abubakar’s victory, circumstances led to the transfer of power to Yahaya Bello, and he called me to serve with him.”

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Onoja also traced his political journey prior to 2015, noting that he had run for the State House of Assembly from his constituency in Olamaboro under the All Peoples Party (APP) led by the late Prince Abubakar Audu, establishing his long-standing involvement in Kogi politics.

He further explained his influence on appointments within his senatorial district:

“I recommended most of the people from my district; 75 percent of them were approved and eventually hired by Yahaya Bello. I did not interfere in Kogi West or Central, as the governor came from Kogi Central and there were other stakeholders from Kogi West.”

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Onoja’s remarks seek to clarify his strategic role while dismissing claims that he wielded unchecked power behind the former governor’s administration.