The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yayaha Bello, has dissociated himself from the campaign posters linking him to the position of the Chairman of the All Progressive Congress.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the media office of the former governor blamed such a campaign on the “handiwork of some opposition leaders and some 5th columnists within the party.”
The media office of the immediate past governor noted that such insinuation was aimed at discrediting the former governor.
“Parts of the plans already being hatched is the circulation of campaign posters with the picture of His Excellency Alh. Yahaya Bello, CON, the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, insinuated that he is contesting for the position of the National Chairmanship of the All Progressives Congress. The insinuation is infantile, and false and should be disregarded.
“Our party is not in the process of conducting Congresses or a Convention, therefore, there is absolutely no basis for anyone to circulate any posters for party offices.
“Let it be made abundantly clear that His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello did not authorise anyone to circulate any posters on his behalf as he remains a loyal party man who is committed to the leadership of the National Chairman of the Party, His Excellency Dr Abdullahi Ganduje.
“We urge members of the general public to disregard the mischief of the people circulating posters to create a false impression,” the statement noted.
That the leadership of the party had warned Bello’s supporters, to desist from causing confusion in the party, saying the position of the national chairman is currently occupied.
The National Publicity Secretary of APC, Felix Morka, gave the warning at a press conference on Tuesday at the national secretariat of the party.
He said, “There is no vacancy in the office of the APC National Chairman. Dr Abdullahi Ganduje remains our chairman. This is a democracy where people do what they want.
“We have total confidence in the leadership of the party. But, make no mistake because the office of the national chairman is properly and fully occupied. Nobody is asking for that office to be declared vacant and it is not vacant. I will want to warn those who are throwing these papers around to desist from doing that.
“That is not our priority right now. We need to concentrate on the job that needs to be done to solve some of the problems that will make our country a better place for all of us.