Former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has refuted claims suggesting he is nursing a presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement released on Friday by his media director, Michael Ohiare, Bello expressed shock over a viral video of a 2022 campaign rally being circulated as evidence of a fresh presidential bid.
“While we state categorically that our principal, Bello, has no 2027 presidential ambition, we also want to stress his unflinching commitment to the re-election of President Tinubu come 2027,” the statement read.
The video, according to Ohiare, was taken during Bello’s 2022 presidential campaign and has resurfaced in what he described as a deliberate attempt to mislead Nigerians and stir political tension.
“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 stated.
He labelled the video’s re-circulation as the work of “confused, witless minds” attempting to cause disaffection between Bello and President Tinubu. Ohiare noted that such misinformation efforts have become a pattern by those who are determined to tarnish the former governor’s image.
According to him, “This is not the first time these detractors and their co-travellers would fly absolute falsehood with the aim of setting the former governor against President Tinubu.”
Ohiare emphasized that President Tinubu has demonstrated commendable leadership in the face of global economic challenges and deserves the support of patriotic Nigerians.
He urged the public to disregard the misleading video and remain vigilant against politically motivated falsehoods.
“This latest slant of reposting a 2022 rally and insinuating it is a recent event connotes nothing but sheer mischief. Nigerians should be wary of witless persons who concoct stories just to satisfy the interests of their paymasters,” he added.
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