By Nda Aaron
On Friday, 26th August 2023 , a political support group named “GYB NETWORK FOR ASIWAJU 2023 ” was inaugurated by it state coordinator and former APC state chairman, Hon. Haddy Ametuo at the organisation office Lokoja.
The group which have is sponsorship from the state -Eastern flags,was quite eventful and colorful but the take home ,was the spanning political bullet ,were hitherto , Edward Onoja, the Deputy Governor political allies ,stole the show.
The event which look like a preset stage for 2023 Kogi Governorship race, and was marked like a defection of loyalists of Edward Onoja from Igala land & Bassa within the GYB Political Family.
First ,it’s was Hon Haddy Ametuo as the State Coordinator , a man Edward Onoja chased out from the state as then APC State Party Chairman, because of his membership of Audu/Faleke group , and fearing that as an Ebira man, he could easily penetrate the heart of Gov. Bello to ensure he hand over the state Governorship to Audu/Faleke Group after the end of his tenure in 2023, and such will abort his own Governorship ambition .
Secondly, it’s was Hon Benjamin Ikani as Kogi East Coordinator ,a former Rep member Dekina-Bassa Federal Constituency 2015-2019, a man Edward Onoja once packaged to Governor Yahaya Bello for the position of Deputy Governor ,had Bello won Kogi 2015 APC Governorship primary .
But when Audu death ushered in Bello as Governor , Edward Onoja fearing the political weight of Benjamin Ikani from second largest LGA in the state ,Dekina & Ikani being a serving Rep member, he saw him as a threat and must be axed politically, as such ,he commence the political witch- hunt of him ,and as a defacto Governor then, he plotted against Ikani returned ticket and had his way .
To ensure Ikani weight ,doesn’t cost APC & his satanic politics great deal , he had to sourced for another political heavyweight Hon Hassan Baiwa ,whose family command goodwill from Igala Land
THE BAIWA’s POLITICAL FAMILY
But immediately Hon Baiwa won the election, greater fear befell Edward Onoja as Baiwa political family possesses more political richness and potency with national reach , and can easily wrestle 2023 Kogi Governorship from him.
Guess what,? Edward Onoja had to re-strategized to eased Hon Hassan Baiwa out ,which eventually led to a fractured relationship between duo. And is evident today by Hassan Baiwa not getting a return ticket for 2023 .
Thirdly, Hon Adams Bakasomachi aka Quincy/Don Awele as State Deputy Youth Coordinator, was once Edward Onoja one time main man but Quincy known for one thing, he doesn’t bow to terror ,or iron fist man , in fact, some times ago ,they both dance naked on social media as he gave it back to back in Edward Onoja usual nature.
To add salt to the wound ,Quincy went ahead and collected Edward Onoja source of liquid cash “Forestry and Produce Revenue Collection
From his stooge .
Fourthly, when you thought you have seen it all, there came the eye- catching one Hon Ahmedi Attah ,APC North Central Zonal Youth Leader , Edward Onoja Capon & General Commanding Officer’s ,as well , like the Yoruba’s Abobaku of Edward Onoja political machinery ,once in Igala land, was also appointed as the State Youth Leader .
This conglomerate puzzle’s,is what is making Kogi Political pundits to think ,whether nemesis is catch up with Edward Onoja as the capitol seems to be a conglomerate of those he once persecuted or restricted politically.
The Analysts Views ;
What we saw in Lokoja yesterday at John Holt Market , was a political hurricane that swept someone political structure for yet to be known POLITICAL GLADIATOR or soon to be UNVEIL POLITICAL ACTOR…?
Or
Will Edward Onoja become the latest Kogi structureless Aspirant for 2023…? Only time will tell.
All these will be known in time to come as we march towards 2023.
Nda Aaron was a former Special Adviser to Gov. Yahaya Bello and chieftain of Tinubu-Shatima campaign organisation,he writes from Lokoja, Kogi state.
