Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has firmly denied any interest in contesting the 2027 presidential election, saying he has no plans to run against President Bola Tinubu.
Bello’s stance was made public in a statement released on Friday by his Media Director, Michael Ohiare.
The clarification followed the circulation of an old video from a 2022 rally, which some falsely claimed signaled Bello’s campaign against President Tinubu.
“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 statement read.
Ohiare praised the current administration, saying, “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.”
He dismissed the circulating post as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public. “Nigerians should disregard the mischievous post insinuating a fresh presidential support rally as what it is, a senseless post by a confused, witless mind,” he said.
Highlighting the obvious timestamp on the event materials, Ohiare continued, “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 described those behind the video as mischief makers who thrive on spreading falsehoods.
“The fabricators have tried so hard in their ‘bring-him-down-at-all-costs’ mission against Bello but have always failed woefully,” he added.
Ohiare also noted this was not the first attempt to pit Bello 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 concluded by warning Nigerians to remain alert against disinformation.
“Nigerians should be wary of witless persons who concoct stories without thinking, just to satisfy the interests of their paymasters.”
According to him, the video is simply a desperate effort to create a crisis where none exists.
