Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state, has named Edward Onoja, his running mate in the November 16 election, as deputy governor of the state, following the impeachment of Simon Achuba on Friday by the Kogi House of Assembly for alleged gross misconduct.
It is understood that Onoja’s name has been sent to the state assembly for confirmation.
Onoja would be sworn into office on Saturday, according to NAN.
Aged 44, Onoja, a staunch ally of governor Bello, is a Geologist. He hails from Emonyoku Ogugu in Olamaboro local government area of Kogi State.
In 2011, he sought the ticket of the former All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) for a house of assembly seat in 2011.
He was the chief strategist of “Yahaya Bello Campaign Organization” in 2015 and the state director of the Kogi Youth Arise Group, which had worked for the election of president Muhammadu Buhari in the state.
Onoja formally resigned as chief staff two days ago.
Meanwhile, Mr. Achuba said that he remains the deputy governor of the state.
Achuba, who spoke through his counsel, Mr Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), on Friday said he was not found guilty of any of the allegations against him, revealing that he would challenge the said impeachment in court.
Okutepa said, “The case is in court. They ignored the case in court. The case is coming up . We are going back to the court. Nigeria is a country that should be ruled by the constitution. We are not a jungle country.
“There is no impeachment. From nothing, nothing comes. You cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand.”
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