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Tag: Yahaya Bello

  • Yahaya Bello reveals Buhari’s only interest in APC primaries

    Yahaya Bello reveals Buhari’s only interest in APC primaries

    Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi, a Presidential aspirant on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform, says President Muhammadu Buhari’s only interest is to field the best candidate that will defeat other opponents in the 2023 presidential election.

    Bello said this at a media appearance on Sunday in Abuja, noting that the candidate must be able to give the people the right kind of leadership while building on the successes of the President.

    The governor said that he was optimistic that the best candidate would be chosen irrespective of region, tribe or religion, stressing that Nigerians were clamouring for who would solve the challenges of the country.

    Bello, therefore, expressed optimism that he would emerge as the chosen candidate considering all that he had achieved in Kogi in terms of security, unity and progress, building on the successes of President Buhari.

    “Mr President has always been providing a very wonderful leadership, the National Chairman has equally been providing a superlative leadership for our party and for our country and yesterday’s (Saturday) meeting was one of them.

    “For us as aspirants in the forthcoming primary election, we were asked to make a consensus among ourselves on who will emerge so that we can come up with one formidable candidate against the PDP.

    “It is very gladdening and I know that by the grace of God, we are going to come up with the one strong candidate.

    “And, I am very optimistic that I, Yahaya Bello, as the candidate to build on the leadership and successes of President Muhammadu Buhari, will emerge as the consensus candidate by the special grace of God, considering our achievements and successes in Kogi on security, unity and progress.

    “Nigeria of today is all out for who is coming to solve Nigeria’s problem and not where you come from and that leadership, I by the special grace of God will provide for Nigeria,” Bello said.

    On the fate of the party after the special national convention, Bello said that the party as always will come out stronger than ever before, commending the party’s leadership for a smooth process all the way.

    “By the special grace of God, we are going to come out stronger than ever before. This kind of anxieties were expressed in the last convention that came up with Sen. Abdullahi Adamu as the National Chairman and other committee members.

    “This kind of anxieties came up when we were electing our senators, governors and all our candidates across boards three weeks ago and we all came out very strongly.

    ‘By the special grace of God, I am optimistic that we are going to come out very strongly.

    “By the special grace of God, I Yahaya Bello of Kogi State shall win that convention and the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress for the general elections come 2023,” Bello added.

    Bello, however, urged delegates of the parties to vote him in the forthcoming elections to give him the opportunity to continue the legacies of President Buhari to build a safe, united prosperous Nigeria.

  • Yahaya Bello’s wife doles out N1m cash to aides (VIDEO)

    A viral video has captured the moment the first Lady of Kogi State, Mrs Rashida Bello, wife to Kogi State governor- Yahaya Bello, was seen dishing out N1 million each to all her security and domestic aides, bringing joy and happiness to their faces in appreciation for their diligent services.

     

    The cash gifts followed her recent donation of cars to some of her aides.

     

    Mrs Bello’s husband (Yahaya Bello) is contesting the 2023 presidency.

     

    The beneficiaries of her cash gifts, which included her security details, could not hide their excitement as she presented the cash sums in N1,000 denominations.

     

    About Rashida Yahaya Bello

    She was born 2 May 1985 and  is a Nigerian philanthropist and advocate against early and forced marriage. She is also the wife of current governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.

     

    Mrs Rashida was born in Jattu, Edo State. She studied Accounting at the University of Abuja. Upon graduation, she went on to do her NYSC as would as Nigerian graduate.

     

    Before the successful election of her husband Yahaya Bello, Rashida worked at Fairplus International where she rose to the level of a director. She appeared on the cover of celebrity magazine.

     

    Yahaya Bello’s Presidency declaration

    Yahaya officially declared interest in running for the presidency of Nigeria in Abuja.

    Prior to his declaration of interest to contest in the presidential election, Yahaya has been speculated to be interested in being the number citizen of the country.

     

    The occasion was witnessed by some eminent Nigerians like Senator Jonathan Zwingina, Femi Fani-Kayode, among others.

     

    Speaking, Zwingina described the Presidential aspirant as a detribalized Nigerian, who governs Kogi with appointees from other states.

    He added that the country needs someone like Yahya Bello

    “Governor uprooted insecurity from Kogi, the state would have been a breeding ground for kidnapping and banditry, but for his leadership skills.”

     

    Yayaha declared his interest in presidency under the auspices of All Progressive Congress (APC)

    He joined Bola Tinubu and Dave Umahi to declare interest in the number 1 seat under the auspices of APC.

    See video below:

  • Why I’ll stand with Yahaya Bello not S’West aspirants – Hafsat Abiola

    Why I’ll stand with Yahaya Bello not S’West aspirants – Hafsat Abiola

    Ms Hasfat Abiola -Costello, Director-General, Yahaya Bello Presidential Campaign Organisation, says she stands with Gov. Yahaya Bello (GYB) of Kogi in the race for APC presidential ticket and not South West aspirants.

    Abiola-Costello said her backing Bello was because she had seen in him, qualities of the kind of leader Nigeria needed at this point in time.

    She said this on Monday while addressing newsmen in Lagos ahead of the APC presidential primaries slated for May 30 and 31, in Abuja.

    Abiola-Costello, daughter of the winner of the 1993 presidential election, late Chief MKO Abiola, said she chose Bello over all other South West aspirants because she had seen in him, a true commitment to the progress of the country.

    The DG also reiterated that, with the ongoing work in the campaign, she was very sure that her principal would be victorious at the primaries, notwithstanding the political stamina of some others in the race.

    Abiola-Costello, however, said Bello was a loyal and respectful person, who would carry everyone along after he emerged.

    On economy, she noted that statistics from the World Bank on states accountability rating in Nigeria, indicated that Kogi ranked top among other states in the country.

    She said: “This is a man who met a debt profile of about N135 billion in Kogi when he assumed office in 2016, but had been able to reduce it to about N70 billion This is in addition to his huge investments in education, agriculture, security and infrastructural developments.

    “The World Bank accountability ranking of states in Nigeria evaluated Kogi as second in 2017, first in 2018 and 2019.

    “The draft report for 2021 shows that Kogi scored 100 per cent in all the areas and from indications, the state will maintain the first position in 2021, judging from the draft report that was released just yesterday.

    “I am proud of Bello because of his development records in Kogi. This is a governor that is always looking for progress and the development of lives of his people.

    This is me, a Yoruba, supporting someone from North Central.

    “There is no progress without demands, I lost both my parents, though unfortunately, because Nigerians believed in them. I’ve been working with GYB for a while and I have seen that he has the courage and intelligence to deliver Nigeria.”

    She said as one of the foremost presidential aspirants of the party, Bello had reached out to party stakeholders in nearly all parts of the country, adding that he stood a better chance to clinch the party’s ticket than others.

    The director-general said, in terms of insecurity, the governor had been able to bring down the crime rates to the barest minimum, adding that through a well crafted management system, he had united all the groups in the multi-ethnic state.

    Abiola-Costello said Bello’s campaign team had been interfacing with critical stakeholders of APC to present his development credentials, which would be replicated at the federal level.

    “Going into the presidential primaries, we are on a good footing. If you plant a good seed very early, you will reap better than those who plant late,” she noted.

  • Yahaya Bello still in presidential race – Campaign Organisation

    Yahaya Bello still in presidential race – Campaign Organisation

    The Hope ’23 Yahaya Bello Presidential Campaign Organisation has refuted in strong terms, a fake report that Gov. Yahaya Bello has picked an APC form for senate.

    Thenewsguru.com recalls that Bello, a presidential aspirant on the platform of the APC, submitted his completed Expression of Interest and Nomination forms on Thursday in Abuja.

    Dr Yemi Kolapo, the Director, Media and Publicity of the campaign organisation in a statement on Friday, said that Bello would be the last man standing in the presidential race.

    Kolapo said the campaign organisation described the report as a laughable concoction of desperate aspirants, who would do anything to be in the shoes of Bello, the leading contender in the 2023 presidential race.

    She urged the media to always do their checks thoroughly and not play into the hands of those she described as out-paced politicians seeking to pull down serious contenders with fake and utterly mischievous reports.

    “As we stand today in the build-up to the APC primary elections, Yahaya Bello’s popularity among critical stakeholders, party members in general, and Nigerians as a whole is unparalleled.

    “Who among the aspirants has an office address? Let them come and visit the headquarters of the Yahaya Bello presidential campaign office and see that we are ready to move to Aso Rock after our father, President Muhammadu Buhari. Bello bought Senate form? A lie from the pit of hell.

    “Our consultations across all the states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, have shown that the next election will only favour a man of the people.

    “Our highly experienced and noble party leaders know that the only consideration is about winning the election and will field the right candidate that will enable the party to retain power. That candidate is Gov. Bello. ”

    According to Kolapo, the campaign organisation can say conservatively, that more than half of the APC delegates are with Bello and support him.

    She said that people had decided to vote their conscience and were yearning for a loyal leader with the capacity to build on the successes of President Muhammadu Buhari and take Nigeria to the desired destination.

    She said that it was disheartening that some people could still resort to this kind of intellectually deficit strategy to make themselves relevant in an arena where they definitely had no seats.

    “We know the sponsors of this report and urge them with every sense of decency to retrace their steps and work on picking the pieces of their fast crumbling political bricks instead of engaging in petty, outdated “pull them down” gimmicks. ”

    Kolapo assured Nigerians and the teeming supporters of Yahaya Bello, youths, women, people with special needs and indeed all Nigerians, at home and abroad of Bello’s stance in the election.

    “If there will be one individual left in the presidential race, that individual will be Yahaya Bello,” Kolapo said.

  • I’m not intimidated by big names in presidential race – Yahaya Bello

    I’m not intimidated by big names in presidential race – Yahaya Bello

    Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Wednesday, picked the All Progressives Congress (APC) Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for presidential race, saying he is not intimidated by anyone.

    Bello who was the first aspirant to pay the N100 million fee for the forms, told newsmen shortly after picking up the forms at the APC national secretariat in Abuja that if elected president in 2023, he would restore the hope of Nigerians.

    He, however, re-emphasised that he was not intimidated by the big names in the presidential race.

    On the recent calls by some groups and even governors on former President Goodluck Jonathan to be adopted as APC consensus candidate, Bello said that was the beauty of democracy.

    The Kogi governor said he was not threatened by the calls, because in democracy, people were allowed to support their preferred candidates.

    “That is the beauty of democracy, anybody can support anyone, but I am assuring you that our great party, the APC is a party that has its own ethics, rules and regulations.

    “I know surely that all of these are in my favour and I am not in any way scared of the pedigree of anyone, whosoever.

    “I am confident that I am in the majority, I have the women, I have the youths, I have the people living with disabilities and they are all behind me. I have leaders, I have followers and above all, I have God almighty,” Bello said.

    He stressed that he was coming to restore the hope of Nigeria, Africa, and the entire black race.

    “That is the hope we are bringing on board; to unite, to secure, and to put our country and her people on the path of progress and prosperity.

    “We give glory to God Almighty, the creator of the universe who has created today and made today a reality.

    “Today I have with me my expression of interest and nomination forms to contest as the presidential flag bearer of this great party, the APC.

    “Right now, what we have ahead of us is the task of canvassing for support and consulting all party faithful, leaders, stalwarts, members and all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora.

    “Give us your support to emerge as the flag-bearer of this great party come May 30 and 31, and by the grace of God, I shall become victorious and the party shall become victorious,” he said.

    Hafsat Abiola-Costello, Director-General, `Hope ‘23 Yahaya Bello Campaign Organisation’’ said Bello demonstrated sincerity of purpose by being the first aspirant to pay for the forms.

    Abiola-Costello said Bello’s action was a demonstration that the young people were ready to take over the country’s leadership.

    “This is a historic moment, a great milestone in the history of our country.

    “Finally, the young people of Nigeria are taking responsibility, demonstrating that we can lead this country to a brighter future.

    “Because we want to demonstrate our sincerity of purpose, our belief is that this is the destiny that God wants for Nigeria and we will do everything in our power to bring it to pass.

    “So we are looking forward to the support of delegates of the APC; we are also looking forward to the support of Nigerians when we get to the presidential campaign.

    “God willing, 2023, we will be welcoming President Yahaya Bello to Aso Rock. Congratulations to all Nigerians,” Abiola-Costello said.

    Some of those in the 2023 presidential race in the APC include; Sen. Bola Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation, and Mr Rochas Okorocha, the immediate past governor of Imo.

    Also in the race are; Dr Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Productivty, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajuba, Minister of State for Education and Gov. David Umuahi of Ebonyi among others.

  • Bello to pick N100m APC presidential nomination form on Wednesday

    Bello to pick N100m APC presidential nomination form on Wednesday

    Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has paid for his All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to contest the 2023 presidential election.
    Mr Yemi Kolapo, Director, Media and Publicity, Yahaya Bello Presidential Campaign Organisation, revealed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
    Kolapo said the governor paid the required N100 million for the purchase of the forms early on Tuesday.
    “This made him the first to officially seal his aspiration to the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023,” he said.
    She recalled that Nigerians from all walks of life stormed the Abuja Eagle Square on Saturday, April 2, to witness the official acceptance of Bello to vie for the 2023 presidency.
    According to him, the venue of the declaration was filled to the brim with different support groups while an almost equal crowd was seen outside the venue.
    Kolapo said with the payment for the forms, Bello’s teeming supporters should rest assured that he would be on the ballot paper in the 2023 presidential race.
    “We are highly encouraged by the number of APC governors, leaders and stakeholders who have demonstrated their strong support for the candidacy of our principal.
    “We reiterate that he is not known for betrayal. He is always very loyal to his own, and his priorities had always been Nigeria, Nigeria and Nigeria.
    “Though, the race officially begins now, it is on record that Bello has consistently been at the forefront of the contest.
    “He has demonstrated this again by being the first to pay for the APC expression of interest and nomination forms.
    “We urge delegates and indeed all Nigerians to shun divisive narratives in the interest of the nation and choose the best of the lot,” she said.
    He expressed optimism that the APC Abdullahi Adamu-led National Working Committee (NWC) would put the interest of the party and that of Nigeria first in its activities for the emergence of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate.
    He noted that the last few months had witnessed persistent calls by youth, women and professional groups across Nigeria on the Kogi governor to contest the 2023 presidential election.
    “With Sen. Jonathan Zwingina as the Chairman of the Hope ’23 Yahaya Bello Presidential Campaign Organisation, and Hafsat Abiola-Costello as the Director-General, the tone is set for hope to be actualised for Nigerians in 2023,” Kolapo said.
  • Nomination Form: APC youth leader lauds Bello for ensuring discount

    Nomination Form: APC youth leader lauds Bello for ensuring discount

    Mr Sadiq Fakai, Director of Youth Mobilisation for Gov. Yahaya Bello’s Presidential Campaign Organisation, has commended him for ensuring 50 per cent reduction for nomination forms for aspirants from 40 years below.

    Fakai gave the commendation on Wednesday during a news conference after the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja.

    He said Bello’s efforts led to the reduction of the price for the party’s nomination forms by 50 per cent for every young aspirant from 40 years below.

    This, he said, would ensure many young persons fulfill their political ambition because of the discount.

    “He lobbied members of the national working committee (NWC) during the just concluded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to get the reduction on behalf of his fellow youths,” he said.

    Fakai urged the youths across the 36 states to rally round and support the presidential aspiration of Bello.

    He said that Bello was the only one that understood their feelings and challenges, and would place the country on the right pedestal.

    Fakai expressed optimism that Bello would replicate youth inclusiveness in governance as currently being witnessed in Kogi State.

    “Let me urge the Nigerian youths to join forces with my office as I tour the 36 states and Abuja, to lobby party stakeholders and delegates to ensure that a youth, in the person of Bello flies the party’s flag in 2023.

    The NEC meeting, which was held at Transcorp Hotel, had in attendance President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, among other party stalwarts.

  • EASTER: Current spate of insecurity will soon unfold a season of triumph of good over evil- Buhari tells Nigerian Christians

    EASTER: Current spate of insecurity will soon unfold a season of triumph of good over evil- Buhari tells Nigerian Christians

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said the current spate of uncertainty and insecurity will soon unfold a season of triumph of good over evil, as he congratulates Nigerian Christians on this year’s Easter celebration.

     

    Buhari, in his Easter message, said “I join our Christian brothers and sisters to celebrate this year’s Easter, which is the most significant event/festival in the Christian calendar.

     

    “This year’s celebration is very unique for adherents of the two great faiths in Nigeria. It culminates the 40-day season of Lent for Christians, where the faithful is expected to fast, pray, assist the poor, abhor injustice and strife, give alms, penitently engage in self-examination and repentance of sins.”

     

    He noted that similar values apply to the Muslim faithful, currently about half-way into the holy month of Ramadan.

     

    Former Vice President- Atiku Abubakar; and the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, also congratulated Nigerian Christians on this year’s Easter celebration.

     

    Atiku, a Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential aspirant, called on Nigerians to emulate the virtues of love and sacrifice which characterized the life of Jesus Christ.

     

    In a message released by his media office in Abuja, the former President stressed that the two qualities of love and sacrifice are essential to the unity that Nigeria so desperately needs at this time when vested and provincial interests threaten to tear our nation apart.

     

    “This weekend, we join our Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria and across the world to celebrate the Easter festivities. This commemoration is a time for deep reflection as it marks the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and his victory over death. It is a time to reach out to our brothers and sisters in need.

     

    “It is also a time for all of us — regardless of faith, or ethnicity — to come together to pray for the peace of our nation. We must all remain constant in our efforts to promote unity — across all lines — because united, our nation remains stronger and we thrive as a people,” he said.

     

    Bello, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Muhammed Onogwu, congratulated Christians for the successful completion of the fasting period which he noted was much-needed self-denial in order to pray for the peace of the country and wisdom for its leaders.

     

    The governor said just as the death, burial and resurrection of Christ signified hope for mankind, there must be a rekindling of hope for Nigeria in this season of challenges.

     

    He, therefore, urged Christians to reflect on critical issues affecting the nation and to continue seeking the face of God for the nation so that security, unity and peace will prevail in the overall national interest.

     

    Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria has expressed disappointment in the regime of President Buhari over the security challenges in the country and worsening economy but said the nation would rise again.

     

    The organization said the situation in Nigeria, “without an iota of politics looks very gloomy.”

     

    The President of CAN, Dr. Samson Ayokunle, expressed the views in his Easter message titled, “Hope in the midst of gloom: Nigeria will rise again”, obtained by journalists in Abuja on Thursday.

     

    While congratulating Christians, he said arrest of Jesus by evil men and the so-called religious leaders, his crucifixion and burial were the greatest shocks in the life of his disciples.

     

    According to him, although Jesus told them several times that it was going to happen, considering His miraculous power, they thought nobody would be able to arrest, not to talk of crucifying him, addin, “they understood not the scripture that Christ must suffer first before entering into his glory and be Lord over all.

     

    Ayokunle said, “Jesus remained three days in the grave as if he was not going to resurrect. However, on the third day, there was a great happening. There was an earthquake, the foundation of the earth was shaken and Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, the Lord of lords rose triumphantly from the dead. His resurrection brought smiles to the faces of his disciples and shame to his enemies.

     

    “Fellow Christians and fellow Nigerians, the situation in the country today, to say the truth, without an iota of politics looks very gloomy. There seems to be nothing to celebrate because of unimaginable insecurity. Despite the efforts of the government to arrest the situation, the scope of insecurity keeps expanding to our consternation.

     

    “Coupled with insecurity are other challenges such as mass unemployment, industrial disharmony, especially that of Academic Staff Union of Universities, just to mention but a few.

     

    “The prices of goods and services have risen in a way unprecedented in our country before and entrepreneurs are relocating to other countries that have better ease of doing business. Is there anything that calls for celebration in all these things we are facing?

     

    “Yes, there is. Nothing is worse than death! If Jesus died and was buried, putting his disciples in the greatest state of disappointment and sorrow but afterwards rose from the dead, then, Nigeria is going to be great again. This nation will rise from all the challenges we are facing and we Nigerians are going to rejoice and be proud of our nation again in the name of Jesus Christ.”

     

    Also, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has ordered intensive security patrol of all public spaces and critical national assets ahead of the Easter celebrations.

     

    Specifically, he directed all state Commissioners of Police and their supervising Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to ensure adequate deployment of police personnel, and operational assets in areas of security interest within their respective areas of responsibility.

     

    The acting force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that the IG also instructed the supervising officers to ensure that “confidence-boosting, proactive, and high visibility patrols” are carried out along the highways, motor parks, train stations, airports, worship centres, recreation centres, banks, and other financial institutions while taking adequate measures to provide a peaceful, crime-free, and enabling environment for religious, cultural and other socio-economic activities to thrive.

  • Commissioner denies Gov Bello used Kogi pensioners money to declare for president

    Commissioner denies Gov Bello used Kogi pensioners money to declare for president

    Kogi State Commissioner for Finance and Budget Planning, Asiwaju Idris has said the State Governor, Yahaya Bello did not use pensioners money to declare for president.

    Idris made this known on Sunday while giving explanation on the delay in the payment of pensions for the state’s pensioners owed their March entitlement.

    Speaking with journalists in Lokoja, he said the widely circulated rumour that Gov. Bello had used the March Pension to conduct his presidential declaration event recently in Abuja was untrue.

    The commissioner said on the contrary, there was delay in the payment of March pension due to banking logistics.

    Idris said that the government was not owing pensioners and attributed the difficulty in the March payments to network failure.

    “The delay in payment of March pensions was due to logistics problems of transferring the money from Access Bank to UBA,” he stressed.

    He, however, urged pensioners in the state to exercise patience and avoid anxiety, saying the banks were making efforts to resolve the problems and effect their payments within the nearest possible time.

    He noted the state government under the leadership of Bello prioritised salaries of workers and pensioners, and would do everything to ensure the prompt payment of such.

  • Buhari will not hold AK-47 to secure Nigeria – Yahaya Bello

    Buhari will not hold AK-47 to secure Nigeria – Yahaya Bello

    Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has said that President Muhammadu Buhari will not hold an AK-47 rifle to secure the nation.

    The governor said this while challenging all governors in Nigeria to take responsibility for security in their states amid the security challenges facing the country.

    Bello said he did not expect the President to secure Kogi as a governor and had put a lot in place to bring crime to almost zero in his state.

    He stated this on Friday in Abuja at his Second Annual GYB Seminar for Nigeria’s Political and Crime Editors and Correspondents.

    “I’m not a governor that will expect the President to secure my state,” Bello said.

    “I refused to politicize insecurity. Buhari is a man who loves truth and reality. I’ll let you know that the President loves this country.

    “This insecurity isn’t a thing of the President though we should not pass the buck because that is why we came on board. It’s a successive failure of various administrations.

    “The President will not sit in the Villa and hold an AK-47 to come and secure my schools and roads.

    “Some of these crimes that we see today are more than what we see on the surface. I will never come out here and point out the flaws. Whatever I observe, in terms of loopholes and lapses, it’s between myself and the President to let him know.

    “I will never be that governor who will come out and say that the President didn’t secure my schools and roads.”