Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has dismissed claims that he is preparing to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, stating categorically that he has no such ambition.
In a statement released on Friday by his Media Director, Michael Ohiare, Bello expressed surprise over a viral video from his 2022 rally being recirculated with claims that he had begun campaigning against Tinubu.
The statement read: “While we state categorically that our principal, Bello, has no 2027 presidential ambition, we want to also stress his unflinching commitment to the re-election of President Tinubu come 2027. The indices cannot lie. The President and his team have done exceedingly well for the country, despite global challenges. On merit, he deserves the support of well-meaning Nigerians.”
Describing the resurfaced video as misleading, Ohiare said: “Nigerians should disregard the mischievous post insinuating a fresh presidential support rally as what it is – a senseless post by a confused, witless mind. The fabricators forgot that the 2022 dates are boldly written on the banners on display. Yet, they expect reasonable people not to see this as the handiwork of detractors.”
Ohiare accused mischief-makers of persistently attempting to tarnish Bello’s reputation, stating: “It was not the first time detractors and their co-travellers would fly absolute falsehood with the aim of setting the former governor against President Tinubu. But this latest slant of reposting a 2022 rally afresh and insinuating that it is just happening, connotes nothing but sheer mischief.”
He further warned the public against such misinformation, saying: “Nigerians should be wary of witless persons who concoct stories without thinking, just to satisfy the interests of their paymasters. The post was out of a desperate bid to create crisis where there is none.”
Bello’s media office reiterated his loyalty to the Tinubu administration, dismissing the claims as baseless and politically motivated.
