The immediate-past deputy governor of Kogi State, David Onoja, has publicly asked for forgiveness from his predecessor, Dr. Simon Achuba, over long-held claims that he plotted Achuba’s impeachment to take his position.
Onoja made the apology during a visit to Achuba’s residence in Abuja on Friday, describing the meeting as a “sacred moment of reuniting” and an opportunity to clear the air about past misunderstandings.
In 2019, Achuba was controversially impeached as deputy governor under the Yahaya Bello administration, while Onoja, then Chief of Staff to the Governor, was sworn in as his replacement. The impeachment was later overturned by the courts, although Bello’s administration had already completed its tenure.
Addressing the matter on his verified Facebook page, Onoja said “For long, certain misconceptions have lingered, suggesting I orchestrated his impeachment to take his office. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Today, with humility, I cleared that misinformation before him and sought his forgiveness in any way I may have hurt him, knowingly or unknowingly.”
Onoja, who now serves as a Commissioner in the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), added that the visit was about healing and unity. “True leadership is not in holding grudges, but in building bridges, healing wounds, and moving forward with a spirit of love and unity,” he said.
He also praised Achuba for what he described as his “large heart, wise counsel, and warm hospitality,” saying their conversation renewed his conviction that Kogi’s progress depends on cooperation and reconciliation.
