The Media Office of Kogi State’s immediate-past governor, Alhaji Yayaha Bello, has denied that he is one of the sponsors of the country’s ongoing #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests.
According to a statement made on Wednesday and signed by Michael Ohiare, the assertion was part of a broad conspiracy by the former governor’s adversaries to frame him.
The statement made available to the press 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, a blackmailer, and a 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 condemned the assertion as “reckless and irresponsibly malicious,” adding that the former governor was still a patriot who had dedicated his time, resources, and energy to create a united and thriving Nigeria.
It claimed that it was Bello who responded quickly to address a serious issue between the North and the South, which would have resulted in a big catastrophe 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 judgement that set aside the policy at the Supreme Court. It was a landmark intervention at a time that the nation was almost collapsing.”
Ohiare mentioned that 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 been unknown since the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) proclaimed him sought for an alleged N80.2 billion scam.
Though Bello is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress and a close supporter of the President, Tinubu is not on record as intervening to stop the criminal proceedings or offering the ex-governor protection.
