Kogi Gov. Yahaya Bello names auditor general Ahmed Ododo as his successor

Before today’s All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello appointed Ahmed Ododo, the state auditor-general, as his replacement.

This was disclosed during the party’s Thursday meeting of APC stakeholders in Lokoja.

Edward Onoja, the deputy governor, and Mohammed Asuku, the governor’s chief of staff, both withdrew from the race in response to the development.
Bello, who hosted the event and introduced his preferred candidate as the state’s auditor general, hosted it at the party’s secretariat.

Shortly after the meeting in Lokoja, Onoja and Asuku made their withdrawals from the governorship race public via their respective verified Facebook pages.
The deputy governor, Onoja, whom many had thought will naturally succeed Governor Bello before now, posted a cryptic message on Facebook.

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He wrote: “To God be the glory for life and divine health. My appreciation to my leader, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, and all my supporters for your love and prayers.

“Let love, patience and perseverance lead. I am forever grateful.”

On his part, the governor’s Chief of Staff, Asuku, who was also seen as a frontrunner because of his closeness to the governor, posted: “Alhamdulillah! Alhamdulillah!! Alhamdulillah!!!

“All praises and adoration are due to the most high God the Creator of the entire universe and the sustainer of same who have safeguarded my life and that of my immediate family and well wishers to witness this moment in my life.

“I sincerely appreciate His Excellency, my benefactor, for all that Allah have been using him to do in my life.

“As a result, I hereby publicly submit myself to the decision made today and I will always 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 win the November 11 general election,” the statement reads.

In a related development, other candidates for governor including Mr. David Adebanji Jimoh, a former commissioner for finance named Asiwaju Ashiru Idris, Okala Yakubu, and Momoh Jubril withdrew as well.

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However, all other candidates who haven’t dropped out of the race are welcome to take part in Friday’s primary, which will be held all over the state, according to Mohammed Matawale, the governor of Zamfara state.