The Media Office of the immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yayaha Bello, has
refuted the claim in certain quarters that he is one of the sponsors of the ongoing
#Endbadgovernance protests across the country.
A statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Michael Ohiare stated the claim was part of the grand plans by some enemies of the former governor to frame him.
The statement made available to newsmen in Lokoja read, “We have uncovered a high-wired plan by some disgruntled enemies of the nation and persons on the ‘Project Bring Down
Yahaya Bello’, to frame him up as one of the sponsors of the #Endbadgovernance protests
across the country.
“We wouldn’t have bothered to respond to a clout-chasing criminal, blackmailer and
blackmail pawn, a hired gun in the hands of some unpatriotic Nigerians, who published a
fake, malicious and unintelligent report about an imaginary involvement of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in the ongoing protests across the country.
“But it is pertinent to respond to the tirades of falsehood by the writer because it borders
on national security. Our resolve is further strengthened by the condemnable act of some
protesters displaying the flags of other nations.”
The statement described the claim as “reckless and irresponsibly malicious,” adding that the former governor remained a patriot who had devoted his time, resources and energy to building a united and prosperous Nigeria.
It said it was Bello who acted swiftly to resolve a major problem between the North and the South, which would have caused a major crisis in Nigeria.
“What threatened our fragile unity was resolved amicably on the negotiation table provided by Alhaji Yahaya Bello when he mediated between the northern food transporters and
their southern counterparts and brought them together as food exchange between the two regions was threatened. That move earned him so much commendation by leaders of the country at that time.”
The media office said Bello had always been supportive of President Bola Tinubu, saying:
“In the build-up to the 2023 presidential poll, several impediments and political cum
economic landmines were laid on the road, including the naira redesign policy. It was the
same Yahaya Bello with some of his colleagues then who dared the system and secured the
judgment that set aside the policy at the Supreme Court. It was a landmark intervention at a time that
the nation was almost collapsing.”
Ohiare said during the presidential election, Yahaya Bello mobilised residents of Kogi to
deliver victory for President Tinubu.
“Can the masterminds of his persecution show the world the results of their state? Yahaya Bello also mobilised the youth of the nation as the APC Youth Mobilisation Committee
Chairman, because of his faith in the leadership capacity of Mr President,” the statement
read.
The ex-governor’s whereabouts have remained unknown since the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission declared him wanted over an alleged N80.2bn fraud.
Though Bello is a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress and an ally of the
President, Tinubu is not on record to have intervened to stop the criminal case or offer the ex-governor protection.
PUNCH
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