Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya BelloGovernor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has admitted that he has always been a loner in matters concerning the national life of Nigerian.
Answering questions from newsmen today, June 7 at the Presidential villa, Abuja, about his lone stand on the issue of zoning the APC Presidency to the South, Governor Yahaya Bello said that this was not the first time he went solo on national issue.
“I have always been a loner, when you talk of human beings, but in the sight of God Almighty, I am not a loner. I will cast your mind back to when the issue of Coronavirus broke out. I made my stand and position known. I have been vindicated today and those who championed that business that time today probably may hide their heads in shame.”
The Kogi Governor said that he was not consulted before his colleagues in the north decided to concede the position of Presidency to the South.
“Yesterday, a certain video went viral, that I got angry and I left a particular meeting and then, of course, this is a period when a lot of lies, a lot of misconceptions, will fill the air.
“Then, we have our father, the leader of our party, who should always know the reality of the truth, and then I came to brief him exactly what happened.
“Well, some of my colleagues, led by the self-proclaimed leader of them ganged up to suppress the voice of the people, the voice of over 26 million Nigerians. The voice of the women, the voice of people living with special needs, the voice of the choice of the part.
“So that’s exactly what I revolted against and I remain the leading candidates into this general election. I decided to leave the meeting where such concoction were ongoing. So that’s exactly what took place.
“I wouldn’t mention a name because I am honorable enough. The office I occupy today is an office that should be dignified.
“Myself, I have respect for leaders, for elders, even if some elders do not respect themselves, I have high respect for those in positions of authority. So, I wouldn’t mention names.
“I am a unifier, I have demonstrated that severally in my state. I have demonstrated that severally in the various tasks that were given me by the party. So, nobody consulted me. Nobody consulted me over the decision that they took and I will rather say that they were railroaded by certain interest who wants to be VP at all costs.
“The issue of turn-by-turn presidency, I continue to oppose it because the insecurity that is facing us today does not respect turn-by-turn presidency. Every part of this country is faced with insecurity. Every part of this country is wanting prosperity and the seeming or the disunity that we experiencing today in Nigeria, we want unity in this country and that is exactly what I stand for.
“Who is that person that is coming to solve the problem? That should be what should preoccupy our minds and not the turn-by-turn presidency. It’s not in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“I am a free citizen, a free member of the party, a qualified member of the party. I contested and contesting, I bought the form, I was cleared to participate in the election and no reason for me to be excluded from the ballot. If they do so, then that is a recipe for a bigger trouble for the party. However, I don’t think it’s a decision of the party. It is a decision of few elites, who may decide to use their whatever position to suppress the so-called minority.”
Governor Yahaya Bello made it clear that in this country, he is even y not in the minority.
“We have the majority. I belong to the younger generation, I belong to the generation of Nigerians that are oppressed and they are saying they must have their voice and I believe strongly that getting into that arena today, I will win overwhelmingly, if the process and the normal regulations are followed, I will emerge victorious.”
When asked whether he will step down if party stakeholders intervene, the Kogi State Governor said: “I respect President Muhammadu Buhari, the leader of our party, and I respect the party. If the President asks me to step down, I will do. only Mr. President.
“Mr. President did not ask anyone to step down. Mr. President said let the delegates decide who becomes the flagbearer of our party and he did not say anyone should be excluded.”
He is however optimistic that APC will return to power, if the leaders play by the rules of the game.
