Ex-Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has denounced circulating claims about his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election.
Bello refuted this in a statement signed by his Media Director, Michael Ohiare. This is in response to a circulating video showing Bello campaigning for an election.
However, the former Governor expressed his surprise over the trending post of his 2022 rally, alleging that he had started campaigning against President Tinubu for 2027. Bello emphasized that he has no intention of running in the next presidential election. Instead, he is committed to supporting President Bola Tinubu in his bid for re-election.
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He pointed out that the timestamp on the video indicated 2022, describing it as a “senseless post” by mischief makers.
Additionally, the director noted that detractors have repeatedly spread lies to create conflict between the former governor and President Tinubu. Ohiare stated that the fabricators relentlessly pursued their “bring-him-down-at-all-costs” mission against Bello, but they have consistently failed miserably.
Further, the statement urged the public to dismiss any deceptive post insinuating the organization of a fresh rally for the next presidential election. He emphasized that the rumor was a desperate attempt to fabricate a crisis where nothing exists.
Yahaya Bello under scrutiny over N80b fraud allegations
Meanwhile, many Nigerians have been demanding the arrest of Yahaya Bello on the allegations of laundering over 80 billion naira. Recall that in April 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission declared him wanted for alleged involvement in the fraud case.
Yahaya Bello escaped arrest and went into hiding for months before voluntarily surrendering to the EFCC under political pressure. He was thereafter arraigned on multiple corruption charges totaling about ₦80 billion and granted bail. As of May 2025, the case is ongoing, with the EFCC planning to call 28 more witnesses to testify against Bello.
However, with the latest update about the ex-Governor standing as a witness in the defamation charges against Senator Natasha Akpoti, a lot of Nigerians have taken to social media to register their displeasure.
An X user, “BeeBee” while commenting on the information, expressed shock that a “fugitive” could be allowed to testify against a senator. Also, “AFEYODION Raphael” called on EFCC to provide the latest developments on the allegations against Bello.
Similarly, another user, “aelinwa” commented “EFCC what are doing on Yahaya Bello’s case? Emefiele is not the only one. Put the same amount of energy you put in Emefiele’s to that of Yahaya Bello’s.”
