Kogi Guber Poll: Gov Bello’s Chief of Staff Onoja Quits
BY VICTOR BUORO – Ahead of the November 16 gubernatorial election in Kogi State, Governor Yahaya Bello’s Chief of Staff, Chief Edward Onoja, has resigned his position.
The development is coming less than one month to the polls in which Bello, seeking a second term, is considered as one of the major contenders for the seat.
According to widely held views within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Onoja’s resignation is because of his obvious emergence as Governor Bello’s running mate for the forthcoming poll.
Report of the resignation was contained in a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs Folashade Arike and released to the media.
The letter named former Director General (Protocol), Abdulkareem Jamiu as the new Chief of Staff to the governor.
Dr Gabriel Ottah had been appointed to replace Jamiu as new Director General Protocol.
Onojo emerged as running mate to Governor Bello due to the frosty relationship between the governor and his deputy, Elder Simon Achuba.
Achuba is currently facing impeachment proceedings in the State House of Assembly over alleged abandonment of his official duties and other related governance matters in the State.
Mrs Arike’s letter said; “Consequent upon the resignation of the former Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kogi State, Chief Edward Onoja, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has approved the appointment of former Director General (Protocol), Pharm. Abdulkareem Jamiu as Chief of Staff to Excellency.
“His Excellency has also approved the appointment of Dr Gabriel Ottah as DG Protocol to His Excellency.
“The appointment takes effect from Oct. 14, 2019″
Before this latest development, the pol itical scene in Kogi state has been awash with small talks and accusations from insiders and government’s critics about the former Chief of Staff, Onoja holding sway in the state as the de-facto governor.
In fighting for his political life, the embattled Deputy Governor, Achuba had even accused the the former Chief of Staff of being the brain behind his current ordeal due to his inordinate ambition to become Deputy governor by easing him out of the system.
