The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, announced on Friday that he will not run against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections, clarifying that he has no aspirations for the presidency.
In a statement released by his Media Director, Michael Ohiare, Bello expressed astonishment at a circulating video from his 2022 rally, which falsely suggested he was campaigning against President Tinubu for the upcoming election.
The statement emphasized: “While we state categorically that our principal, Bello, has no 2027 presidential ambition, we also stress his unflinching commitment to the re-election of President Tinubu in 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.
“Nigerians should disregard the mischievous post insinuating a fresh presidential support rally for 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,” he stated.
Ohiare condemned the video as a “senseless post” created by individuals intent on spreading falsehoods to mislead the public. He noted that these fabricators have persistently attempted to undermine Bello in their “bring-him-down-at-all-costs” campaign but have consistently failed.
He pointed out that this is not the first instance of detractors spreading blatant falsehoods to create discord between the former governor and President Tinubu.
“But this latest slant — reposting a 2022 rally and insinuating that it is a current event — connotes nothing but sheer mischief.
“Nigerians should be wary of witless persons who concoct stories without thinking, just to satisfy the interests of their paymasters,” he added.
He underscored that the post was a desperate attempt to incite conflict where none exists.
