2023 Presidency: I Never Said I Will Step Down For Tinubu — Yahaya Bello

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has faulted the claims that he has stepped down from his presidential ambition for the All Progressive Congress (APC) national leader, Bola Tinubu.

Bello said he wondered where the rumour emanated from even as he and the former governor of Lagos State are yet to publicly declare their interest.

The sitting governor who spoke during a live interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, however, said he is ready to replicate his performance in Kogi at the national level if allowed to become Nigeria’s president come 2023.

Governor Bello insists his state (Kogi) is the safest in Nigeria, adding that he is capable of fixing security issues effect Nigeria.

He said: “Nigerians are calling on me, of course, because of my performance in Kogi. The State was largely divided against itself before I came onboard. Decayed infrastructure, insecurity, and a lot of troubles. Today, the reverse is the case.

“If what we have done in Kogi; by uniting the people, fighting insecurity and making Kogi the safest state in Nigeria today, ensuring there is equity, fairness and justice in Kogi. If that is required of me to replicate at the national level, I will be glad,” he said.

Responding to the claims of stepping down for Tinubu, Governor Bello said: “We’re yet to make our intention publicly known. So, I don’t know where the news of stepping down for anybody (Bola Tinubu) arise. When we declare to run, we shall by the grace of God help to build on what Mr President (Muhammadu Buhari) have started.”

He added; “Today, Nigeria is bedevilled with all those troubles and Kogi is rated the safest. So, security before any other thing. And if I’m called to fix that in this country, I won’t hesitate.”