Yahaya Bello, a former governor of Kogi State, has denied rumors that he and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have a tense relationship, stating that their connection is still strong and based on respect.
Bello reportedly revealed this in a statement on Sunday in response to a popular video that a content creator had shared on Facebook and TikTok.
The former governor characterized his relationship with the president and head of the All Progressives Congress as friendly, steady, and bound by common political goals.
Bello distanced himself from the remarks in the widely shared video, emphasizing that neither he nor any of the governments he served are connected to the person who created it.
“My attention has been drawn to certain online comments and videos recently circulated by one JOY SADIQ, who goes by the handles @realmamakogi and @realmamakogi2 on Facebook and TikTok, respectively, in which she makes a number of unfounded allegations concerning my relationship with His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” the statement states.
For the sake of transparency and the public interest, I would like to make it clear that I have no affiliation with this person other than the fact that she occasionally belongs to the ranks of people in Kogi State who claim questionable loyalty to our wonderful party, the APC.
“I vehemently condemn the aforementioned person, her remarks, and her actions in this and at least one other instance when she has targeted well-known Nigerians with whom I have friendly relationships and shared interests, ostensibly in my favor.
“The allegations she has made are false, deceptive, and not representative of any reality I am aware of, especially those that imply treachery, exclusion from government, or activities involving political, financial, or security authorities.
“She has never represented me or any government or organization under my direction or control, and she makes all of her claims on her own initiative.
“I continue to have a solid connection with our father and leader, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, based on mutual respect, understanding, and dedication to our common political objectives.
“I continue to be completely committed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, being re-elected for a second term in 2027, and I reject any attempt by anyone or from any source to misrepresent the connection I have with His Excellency, either directly or through unnecessary conjecture.
As a result, I urge the public and the media to take the aforementioned Joy Sadiq’s remarks as ignorant and unrelated to me, motivated by a desire to damage my political and personal relationships with the aforementioned dignitaries, and to avoid giving any weight to such information.
“For the record, all of my authorized communications are properly released on my official channels and national media platforms only after I have given my approval.”
