Former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has dismissed reports linking him to a 2027 presidential bid. A viral campaign poster suggested he might run against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Bello, however, says this is false.
His media office called the report a plot to smear his image. In a Friday statement, his media aide, Ohiare Michael, said the poster was “the handwork of mischief makers.”
“Our attention has been drawn to another senseless post by mischief makers,” the statement said. “They have no other job than to fabricate falsehood and mislead unsuspecting Nigerians.”
Bello Reiterates Support for Tinubu’s Re-election
Yahaya Bello confirmed he has no interest in the 2027 race. Instead, he pledged total support for Tinubu’s second term. “Our principal…has no 2027 presidential ambition,” the statement said. “We want to also stress his unflinching commitment to the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027.”
The statement also slammed those recycling an old 2022 rally video as current. According to the media office, the banners clearly showed the 2022 date. It accused bloggers and political actors of trying to cause division between Bello and Tinubu.
“They expect reasonable people not to see this as the handiwork of frustrated detractors,” the statement continued.
Posters and Fake Rally Footage Deemed Misleading
The fake poster and videos have caused confusion among some political observers. But many political insiders say it’s not uncommon for old political materials to resurface online.
Bello served as Kogi Governor from 2016 to 2024. He was one of Tinubu’s early supporters in the 2023 elections. He even led youth-focused campaigns for the APC candidate before the polls.
Political analysts say Bello’s recent silence had raised speculation. However, this new statement has now cleared the air. “The indices cannot lie. The President and his team have done exceedingly well for the country, despite global challenges,” the statement noted.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s economy grew by 2.98% in Q1 2025, up from 2.54% in the previous quarter. Tinubu’s administration has also removed fuel subsidies, unified exchange rates, and begun economic reforms to reduce debt and increase revenue.
Bello’s media team insists these gains justify his support. “On merit, he deserves the support of well-meaning Nigerians,” the statement said.
Misinformation on the Rise in Nigerian Politics
Social media has become a breeding ground for political misinformation in Nigeria. In recent years, recycled images and doctored headlines have caused chaos, including violent protests and loss of public trust.
Security agencies have warned against sharing unverified political content. The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to fact-check sources before spreading information online.
Bello’s team ended their statement with a call for caution. “Nigerians should disregard the mischievous post…It is a senseless post by a confused, witless mind,” they said.
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