There is major trouble on the horizon for Governor of Kogi State Yahaya Bello.
The age falsification scandal trailing his deputy Edward Onoja has taken an alarming turn.
Onoja is accused of providing false information under oath to the Independent Electoral Commission as the running mate of Bello in the election that earned the Governor a second term in office.
The Deputy Governor in a signed affidavit in support of his personal particulars to INEC gave his date of birth as “9th – 08 – 74″.
A disclosure that is contrary to what he gave at the time of his employment at his former place of work Guaranty Trust Bank (GT Bank).
Document available revealed Onoja swore to an affidavit at the High Court of Rivers State that gave his date of birth as ” 9th of August 1975″.
Details available revealed that to establish the situation beyond a reasonable doubt, the Kogi State Governorship Election Tribunal which is treating the case as one of the major reasons to review – and invalidate – the re-election of Governor Bello has written to GT Bank to provide all documents relating to the employment of Onoja and reason for leaving the Bank amongst other things.
The letter signed by the chairman of the Kogi State Electoral Commission also invites the GT Bank to give “evidence” concerning the employment of Onoja and the reason for leaving.
Information at hand revealed the need for “evidence” may not be unconnected with allegations concerning investigation launched by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in 2011 into the financial dealings of Olamaboro Local Government Council with Onoja who was a staff of GT Bank allegedly required to provide answers to cloudy transactions.
The allegations around the EFCC investigation do not paint Onoja in flattering color sources disclosed.
“Should these allegations against Onoja be established, Yahaya Bello’s re-election automatically stands on thing ice for want of not saying effectively over because there is a precedent where a deputy ‘s action cost a governor his seat, that was what happened to David Lyon the Bayelsa Governor-Elect” a source pointed out.
Lyon’s electoral victory was invalidated 24hrs to his swearing because the court established there was a discrepancy in the documents submitted by his deputy Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo.
