The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Chief Edward David Onoja, has debunked a post been shared across social media platforms that he nominated Hon Gabriel Yunusa Olofu, the state commissioner for commerce, as running mate to Hon Ahmed Usman Ododo, the flagbearer of the All Progressive Congress in the forthcoming Kogi Gubernatorial election.
The post which was titled “Edward Onoja Nominate Running Mates To Ododo” alleged that the Deputy Governor during a stakeholders meeting at Katampe in Abuja nominated Hon Gabriel Olofu as the running mate of the APC flagbearer in the next coming election.
It further alleged that Governor Yahaya Bello has accepted the nomination of the commissioner for commerce but rejected that of two others from Idah Federal Constituency and Hon Benjamin Ikani Okolo of Dekina Federal Constituency tagging Hon Benjamin as an inconsistent person (decamping between APC and PDP) and who won’t be good for Ododo.
In a rejoinder through the office of his Chief Press Secretary, Hon Promise Emmanuel, the Deputy Governor made a clarification on the allegations in the post.
The rejoinder read “For the avoidance of doubt, for those conversant with the workings of Government, the Deputy Governor is NOT responsible for nominating a running mate, neither has he left Lokoja, the state capital, let alone to be in Katampe, Abuja for any stakeholders meeting since the party primaries”.
“The Deputy Governor has been focused on his core duties of assisting the Governor to achieve the goals of the New Direction led Government; given to personal retreat in prayers of Thanksgiving to almighty God whom he says is the architect of all his milestone so far. He advises all individuals who seek office to do so without his name as an oil to drive it as it is within their rights; chiding opposition elements to also focus on their party instead of what happens within the APC.
In the past few days, there have been tension within the party as to the choice of a running mate for the APC flagbearer, especially from Kogi East senatorial district.
Amongst those been nominated and/or agitating to be running mate are Dr Usman Ogbo, Rector of Kogi State, Hon Friday Idachaba, APC guber aspirant in the just concluded primaries, Hon Benjamin Ikani Okolo, former member House of Reps representing the good people of Dekina/Bassa Federal constituency, and Hon Zacharia, member House of Reps representing the good people of Idah/Ibaji/Igalamela/Odolu Federal constituency.
