The media office of Yahaya Bello, former Kogi State governor, announced it has uncovered plans to falsely label him as a security threat.
In a statement on Tuesday, Ohiare Michael stated that there is a plot to include Bello among the sponsors of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests, a plan that will be vigorously resisted.
Bello, who served two terms as governor of Kogi State, has been entangled in a dispute with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
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“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,” Michael said.
Michael criticised Jackson Ude, calling him a “clout-chasing blackmailer” and “a hired gun in the hands of some unpatriotic Nigerians.”
Ude had published a report alleging Bello’s involvement in the protests. Michael emphasised that while they typically would not respond to such false claims, the accusations posed significant national security concerns.
“We consider the claims by the discredited Jackson Ude as reckless and irresponsibly malicious. Yahaya Bello is a patriot who has devoted his time, resources, and energy to building a united and prosperous Nigeria,” Michael continued.
Michael highlighted Bello’s role in resolving a crisis between the North and the South, which threatened national unity.
He said Bello mediated between Northern food transporters and their Southern counterparts, ensuring continued food exchange and earning commendations from national leaders.
He said, “It was Yahaya Bello who acted swiftly to resolve a major problem between the North and the South, which would have caused a major crisis in Nigeria. What threatened our fragile unity was resolved amicably on the negotiation table provided by Alh. 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 so much commendations by leaders of the country at that time.
“In the build up to the 2023 Presidential Poll, a number of 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 that dared the system and secured the judgement that set that aside at the Supreme Court. It was a landmark intervention at a time that the nation was almost collapsing.
“In the Presidential Poll, Alh. Yahaya Bello mobilized Kogites massively to deliver victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Can the masterminds of his persecution show the world the results in their state? He also mobilized the youth of the nation as the Youth Mobilization Committee Chairman because of his faith in the leadership capacity of Mr President.”
Michael called on the Police, Department of State Services, and other relevant agencies to investigate Ude’s claims and bring him to justice, stressing that this is a matter of national security that must not be taken lightly.
