Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has firmly denied rumors suggesting he is nursing a 2027 presidential ambition, describing such claims as false, misleading, and mischievous.
In a statement released on Friday and signed by his media director, Michael Ohiare, Bello expressed shock over a viral video that repurposed footage from his 2022 campaign rally, falsely claiming he had begun mobilizing against President Bola Tinubu for the next general elections.
“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 emphasized that Bello remains a strong supporter of President Tinubu, citing the president’s achievements despite global economic and political challenges.
“The indices cannot lie. The President and his team have done exceedingly well for the country… On merit, he deserves the support of well-meaning Nigerians,” he added.
Viral Video Dismissed as Misinformation
Bello’s media office dismissed the resurfaced 2022 video as the work of “detractors and mischief-makers” attempting to stir unnecessary controversy and “fabricate falsehoods to mislead Nigerians.”
The banners seen in the video, clearly dated 2022, were cited as proof that the content was outdated and being misrepresented.
“Nigerians should disregard the mischievous post… It is a senseless post by a confused, witless mind,” the statement continued.
Not the First Attack
Ohiare revealed that this is not the first time false narratives have been crafted to pit Yahaya Bello against President Tinubu, noting that such efforts have consistently failed.
“Detractors have tried so hard in their ‘bring-him-down-at-all-costs’ mission against Bello but have always failed woefully,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to stay vigilant and avoid being manipulated by those intent on creating division within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“This latest slant of reposting a 2022 rally and insinuating it’s new connotes nothing but sheer mischief,” Ohiare concluded.
