Abdulmalik Suleiman
Perception of things or individuals is largely dependent on a number of factors, chief of which one’s usage or interaction of object of study.
Most times people have varied and different perspective of individuals depending outcome of interaction that might have ensured between them.
It is no no wonder that a certain individual may involve different passion or feeling to different set of people.
While some might see an individual as mean, the same individual may be seen in another light by others who may have seen his positive and humane side.
This is true of public office holders whose actions are viewed in different lights depending on several factors such as religion, partisan or sectional.
I had the opportunity of working close to the incumbent deputy governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Mr. Edward Onoja and I can attest to the fact that most times, perception don’t usually hold true.
One really needs to probe deeper to really understand the stuff that people are made off before passing judgement and conclusion.
My brief stint in government saw me at polar ends with Onoja as we both found ourselves in different caucuses and cleavages.
Rather than divorce myself from partisanship induced misconceptions and disagreement, I decided to shut myself out from the need to know Onoja further.
I soon discover a different personality who is large hearted and compassionate and forgiven. To him, achieving political goal can be tough but friendship and brotherhood shouldn’t be destroyed in the process.
Onoja common philosophy is welfarism and reach out, especially the indigent and less privileged. He has exhibited this often time in an accordance to his boss, HIs Excellency Gov. Yahaya Bello.
The deputy governor who is in his prime age hold his boss in high esteem so also the success and the progress of Kogi State. He coins what will become a catchphrase; 101 loyalty. To him, loyalty to his boss Gov Yahaya Bello is first before anything.
Few falsehood peddlers has misconstrued Onoja new role as deputy governor to mean ‘sidelined’ or not in the scheme of activities. In fact, those who are close to the both would attest that Gov. Bello and Onoja enjoy the best of relationship at the moment.
The deputy governor only flip back to the role of supportive from his busy schedules when he held sway as Chief of staff in the first term.
Onoja might disagree with you politically but such disagreements only end with politics. Its on record that I worked against his reelection and ascension to deputy governor but today the same man has extended hand of fellowship to me with clean hands and mind for rapprochement.
To him, anyone and everybody must and should be accorded their due as citizens and members of an Integra whole irrespective of the biases and the prejudices that they hold. A believer in the cardinal policy of his boss of youth empowerment and mentoring younger generation in leadership.