2027 Presidency: Yahaya Bello to Contest Against Tinubu? Ex-Kogi Gov Speaks

• Former Kogi state governor Yahaya Bello has described reports about him contesting against President Bola Tinubu in 2027 as fake news
• In a statement issued by Michael Ohiare, his media director, Bello said he has no presidential ambition and slammed mischief makers for promoting falsehood
• The ex-governor also took to his Facebook page to express his unwavering support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

The immediate past governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, on Friday, May 23, 2025, clarified that he won’t contest against President Bola Tinubu in 2027 because he has no presidential ambition.

Yahaya Bello backs Tinubu, denies 2027 ambition

In a statement signed by Michael Ohiare, his media director, Bello expressed surprise and shock over a video post of his 2022 rally being recirculated as a campaign against Tinubu.

The ex-governor said he supports Tinubu for the 2027 election because the president has performed well.

The statement read:

“While we state categorically, that our principal, Bello, has no 2027 presidential ambition, we want to also stress his unflinching commitment to the re-election of President Tinubu come 2027.

“The indices cannot lie. The President and his team have done exceedingly well for the country, despite global challenges. On merit, he deserves the support of well meaning Nigerians.

“Nigerians should disregard the mischievous post insinuating a fresh presidential support rally as what it is – a senseless post by a confused, witless mind.

“The fabricators forgot that the 2022 dates are boldly written on the banners on display. Yet, they expect reasonable people not to see this as the handiwork of detractors,” he said.

Continuing, Ohiare described the post as a “senseless post” by mischief makers, who have no other job than to fabricate falsehood and disseminate the same to mislead unsuspecting Nigerians, The Punch reported.

According to him, the fabricators, out of a desperate attempt to create a crisis where none exists, have consistently failed woefully.

However, he stated that this was not the first time detractors and their associates had spread outright falsehoods in an attempt to create a rift between the former governor and President Tinubu.

Yahaya Bello asks public to ignore rumours

Bello, in a post shared on his Facebook page on Thursday night, expressed his unwavering support for Tinubu.

He also called on the public to disregard the claims being circulated in some quarters by mischief makers.

Ahead of the 2027 election, Bello said:

"Please disregard fake News by mischief makers.

"My support for our dear President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is 💯 % unwavering for 2027 and beyond.

"God bless the All Progressives Congress, APC.

"God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria."

Read more about Yahaya Bello, 2027 election here:

• Breaking: Trouble for Peter Obi, Atiku as Senate, House of Reps leaders endorse Tinubu for 2027 presidency
• 2027 election: 22 APC governors back Tinubu's re-election, adopt him as sole presidential candidate
• Akpabio, Yahaya Bello to appear as FG drags Natasha to court in fresh battle
• School fees of $720k: Drama as witness opens up in Yahaya Bello vs EFCC case

Yahaya Bello demands prosecution of Natasha

In another development, Legit.ng reported that Yahaya Bello petitioned the Inspector General of Police over alleged defamatory statements made by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Bello’s legal representatives are demanding that Akpoti-Uduaghan provide evidence to back her claims or face arrest and prosecution for defamation.

The former governor also issued a formal letter to the senator, requesting a public apology and retraction of the statements published in two national dailies.

Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng