The Media Office of the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has firmly denied accusations suggesting his involvement in sponsoring the ongoing #Endbadgovernance protests across Nigeria. In a statement released on Wednesday, signed by Michael Ohiare, the claims were dismissed as part of a concerted effort by adversaries to tarnish the former governor’s reputation.
The statement, made available to journalists 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.”
Addressing the allegations directly, the statement continued: “We wouldn’t have bothered to respond to a clout-chasing criminal, blackmailer, and 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 Media Office described the claims as “reckless and irresponsibly malicious,” asserting that Bello remains a patriot dedicated to fostering a united and prosperous Nigeria. Highlighting his past efforts, the statement recalled Bello’s intervention in a major North-South dispute over food transportation, which averted a potential crisis. “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.”
Furthermore, the statement noted Bello’s support for President Bola Tinubu, particularly during the 2023 presidential election. It highlighted Bello’s pivotal role in challenging the naira redesign policy, which was overturned by the Supreme Court, stabilising the nation during a critical period. “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 judgment that set aside the policy at the Supreme Court. It was a landmark intervention at a time that the nation was almost collapsing.”
The statement also credited Bello with mobilising voters in Kogi State to support Tinubu, ensuring a victory for the APC. “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,” it read.
Despite his influential role within the APC, Yahaya Bello’s whereabouts remain unknown following a declaration by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) listing him as wanted over an alleged N80.2bn fraud. While Bello is a noted ally of President Tinubu, there has been no intervention from the presidency to halt the criminal investigation or shield the former governor from prosecution.
