T he Media Office of the immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has refuted allegations that he is one of the sponsors of the ongoing #Endbadgovernance protests across Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Michael Ohiare, it was asserted that these claims are part of a larger scheme by certain adversaries to frame the former governor.
The statement, 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,” emphasizing that the former governor is a patriot who has dedicated his time, resources, and energy to fostering a united and prosperous Nigeria.
It noted that Bello had acted swiftly in the past to resolve significant issues between the North and South, preventing 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 also highlighted Bello’s support for President Bola Tinubu, stating: “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 added that during the presidential election, Yahaya Bello mobilized residents of Kogi State to secure a victory for President Tinubu.
“Can the masterminds of his persecution show the world the results of their state? Yahaya Bello also mobilized the youth of the nation as the APC Youth Mobilization 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 N80.2 billion fraud. Despite his status as a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress and an ally of President Tinubu, there has been no recorded intervention from the President to halt the criminal case or offer protection to the ex-governor.
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