From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Onoja and Gov Bello
The newly sworn-in Deputy Governor of Kogi state, Edward David Onoja by the State Chief Judge, Justice Nasiru Ajanah, has been charged to sustain his quality of service that brought him to limelight.
Edward Onoja’s emergence as the new deputy governor of Kogi state followed the impeachment of the former deputy, Elder Simon Achuba on guilty of gross misconduct by the State House of Assembly in controversial circumstances. The panel, which investigated the Deputy Governor had said it did not recommend his impeachment while the lawmakers stated they acted legally based on their assessment of the misconduct leveled against him.
Governor Yahaya Bello gave the charge on Monday while speaking at the swearing in ceremony of his second in command, held at the Banquet Hall of the Lugard House, Lokoja.
According Bello “It is good to be good. My joy today has no bound because the swearing in of my former Chief of Staff as my second in command is historical. The journey between me and my twin brother, Edward David Onoja that has brought us to where we are now didn’t just start today”
The governor expressed optimism that with the combination of him and his new deputy, Kogi state will enjoy more turnaround of its fortunes.
He noted that all that happened bringing Chief Edward Onoja as his new deputy governor was divine became there cannot be a vacuum in the system.
Bello appreciated what he termed the courageous stand of the state House of Assembly in “doing the needful following due process to solidify the present administration even in the face of all odds.”
The governor also commended the Kogi state Chief Judge for playing his constitutional role to ensure that there is no vacuum created as a result of the crisis.
The Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Matthew Kolawole in his opening remarks during the ceremony, said members of the House took critical look into the report submitted to the House by the Judicial Panel over the gross misconduct of the Ex-deputy governor and found him guilty of the offence that had led to his impeachment.
The Speaker said that the House also followed due process in the screening and confirmation of the new deputy governor, Chief Edward Onoja who was appointed by Governor Yahaya Bello to replace Elder Simon Achuba.
Kolawole said what the new deputy governor is enjoying today is as a result of humility and respect for his boss and constituted authorities when he served as Chief of Staff stressing that with his emergence “APC overwhelming victory come November 16 governorship election in the state is rest assured”.
Responding, the new deputy governor, Chief Edward Onoja thanked Governor Yahaya Bello for founding him worthy for the elevation.
He also appreciated the Kogi State House of Assembly and the State Chief Judge, Justice Nasiru Ajanah for standing up to their constitutional obligation under the situation that brought him on board.
Onoja expressed gratitude to God for the mistakes of Elder Simon Achuba, which paved way for his success to the exalted position.
