In a statement issued by his media office on Monday, Ohiare Michael, the former governor’s media director, dismissed the allegations as baseless and aimed at damaging his relationship with the President.
“Our attention has been drawn to a not only mischievous but senseless report published by a mushroom blog called Daily Excessive, which attributed fake quotes against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to our principal, the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello,” the statement read.
Michael called the report a product of “sick minds” and “irresponsible politicians” desperate to tarnish the former governor’s image. He emphasized that the allegations were not only untrue but also illogical, noting that court proceedings involving Bello’s submissions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are public records.
“This clarification is necessary for the record and for the benefit of social media users who circulate fake news without fact-checking,” he added.
The contentious report had alleged that Bello threatened to expose how President Tinubu emerged victorious in the presidential election. In response, Bello’s media office labeled the claim “laughable” and a failed attempt by detractors to undermine his reputation.
The statement further highlighted that trials concerning the former governor’s EFCC cases have yet to begin, making the claims implausible.
Bello reaffirmed his unwavering support for President Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), urging the public to disregard the “fabricated narrative” as a mere distraction from his ongoing commitment to his political principles.
