A former Deputy Governor of Benue State, Steven Lawani has openly admitted that a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Dr. Mike Onoja, actually won the 2007 governorship election in Benue State.
Onojo who is former Secretary General of the Federation during the Sani Abacha’s military regime was denied his rightful mandate through fraudulent means
Lawani said this during the launch of the biography of Chief Mike Onoja, entitled, “The Living Seed” at the Merit House Maitama, Abuja, written by Comrade Odeh Edache Benedict.
Earlier, the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom described Chief Onoja as “a good man with determination and zeal to succeed. A philanthropist and a great son of Benue state who has reached out to many souls.”
The event also had in attendance dignitaries such as the immediate past ambassador to Togo, Matthew Adoli, a former military of Bauchi State, Chris Abutu Garba; a former Minister of State for Delta Niger Affairs, Sam Odeh; traditional rulers and a host of others.
Speaking, the former Deputy Governor said Chief Onoja, who had also contested the Benue Zone C senatorial district against Senator David Mark, “won the 2007 governorship election Benue state but was denied his mandate by fraudulent means.”
Lawani added that, “There’s still hope as I believe that God will take him to the destination because he deserves it.
“Just as the governor [Ortom] had said, Onoja will reap the fruit of his good labour for Benue people and Nigerians in general.”