Lokoja – Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has publicly endorsed Ahmed Ododo as his preferred choice among the 17 aspirants, contesting the governorship primary election in the state today, April 14.
Bello, announced Ododo as his preferred choice at a stakeholders meeting presided over by him at the APC secretariat in Lokoja on Thursday.
The development has sent shock waves to the rank and file of party members in the state.
Ododo hails from Kogi Central Senatorial district where Bello also hailed from.
Reliable sources have confided in vitalnews few weeks ago that Bello is actually supporting Ododo to become his successor.
However, an Aide , to Bello dismissed the information, saying it is not possible.
Not much is known about Ododo in the circle of party members and among the public.
He , however, has been in the saddle as the state’s Accountant – General in the cabinet of Bello since 2015.
His name featured prominently in the controversial staff and pensioner screening exercise carried out by Bello administration.
Many people started hearing about him only towards the end of 2022 when he embarked upon distribution of text books to secondary school students across the three senatorial districts.
Bello’s open endorsement of Ododo has forced his “brother from another mother”, the Deputy Governor, Edward David Onoja to withdraw from the governorship primary scheduled to hold today, April 14.
Onoja announced his withdrawal through his facebook page when he wrote ; “To God be the glory for life and divine health. My appreciation to my leader, HE Alhaji Yahaya Bello, and all my supporters for your love and prayers. Let love, patience, and perseverance lead. I am forever grateful.”
Onoja , has as part of his strategies to actualise his ambition of becoming the next governor of the state ensured that the APC emerged victorious in Kogi East against all odds in all the elections conducted since 2015.
Also , the Chief of Staff to Governor Bello, Jamiu Asuku and the immediate Commissioner for finance, Ashiru Idris have also withdrawn from the primary election.
Also Asuku, while withdrawing from the governorship posted on his facebook page that ; ” I sincerely appreciate His Excellency, my benefactor, for all that Allah has been using him to do in my life.
“As such, I hereby submit myself publicly to the decision taken today and I will forever live to remain loyal and dedicated to the decision of my party as I enjoin all my well wishers to work with us for our great party APC to become victorious in the November 11th General Election.”
One of the trio of Onoja, Asuku and Idris were seen as the likely successor to Bello until the bombshell of Thursday.
Other aspirants who have also thrown in the towel are Okala Yakubu, Momoh Jubril and David Jimoh.
Other aspirants still in the race are Senator Smart Adeyemi, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Muritala Yakubu Ajaka; Prince Shauibu Abubakar Audu;
Dr Sanusi Ohiare; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. Salami Momodu O. Deedat,
Senator Oseni Yakubu, Hajia Halima l. Alfa, Prof. Stephen Ikani Ocheni, Abubakar Yahaya Achimugu and Idachaba Friday .
Some of them are also expected to withdraw their aspiration either before the start of the congress.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Governorship Primary Election Committee , Governor Bello Matawale of Zamfara State has said that all other aspirants who have not withdrawn from the race are free to participate in direct primary holding today across the 21 local government areas of the state.(vitalnewsngr.com)
