By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
One of the presidential aspirants in the just concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Primary Election and incumbent
Governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello on Wednesday paid a “Thank You Visit” to President Muhammadu Buhari at State House, Abuja.
Addressing State House Correspondents after a closed door meeting with President Buhari, Bello revealed that he came to pay his respect to the President whom he described as a father, mentor
and leader of the APC.
According to him: “I came today (Wednesday) to see Mr. President to express my appreciation for allowing me to participate in the just concluded national special convention that elected our standard bearer”.
“As a President, the leader of our party, my leader, my father, and mentor, I deem it necessary and courteous enough to come and appreciate him for giving me that opportunity. Even so far, to serve the good people of Kogi state as Executive Governor the first and even in the second term so far, and in various capacities that I have served the party, my state and the nation”.
“And to further express to Mr. President, I am 100% loyal to him and to the party. And Mr. President was pleased. He appreciated me and encouraged me to continue to pursue what will make this country great. So basically, that’s why I’m here today”.
Asked of his opinion on the speculations around APC fielding a Muslim/Muslim Ticket in the 2023 Presidential Election, Bello said APC flagbearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is an astute politician hence he understands the political game so well that he knows what to is the best for him to win the election.
Said he: “The flagbearer, Senator to Bola Ahmed Tinubu is an astute politician. He understands the game well and he knows how to win a contest, especially at this level”.
” I’m confident that himself, Mr. President, our party leaders and elders of our party will come up with a selection that is going to sell the party and the candidature of our party and ensure that victory, whether Muslim Muslim ticket ot Christian; whether from Northeast or wherever, I am confident that the party can come up with someone who will assist in the already victory that we are envisaging ahead of us.
“So whether it is Muslim or Christian, we’re all Nigerians, it is long I have been advocating that we should de-emphasize our fault lines; that which divides us; let us rather dwell on what unites us more. So that is my position”.
The governor however posited that merits and balance, equity, fairness and justice play a big part, adding that “When you put all of them together as a political party, what comes to mind first is how do we win this election? If we don’t win this election where how do you now come about your fairness, equity and justice for Nigeria”.
“So, merit is very key; I’ve always been an advocate for merit because certain challenges that are confronting us today in this country, we need those who will come and solve this problem. If this place is not secured, we won’t be here today are those that are here today, securing the Villa, securing this press room are not selected based on religion”.
Meanwhile, Gov. Bello has commended his numerous supporters who stood by him during his campaign to become APC flagbearer, saying that he appreciates them just as he also argued that he did not disappoint them.
“Distinguished Ladies and gentlemen, let me use this very wonderful opportunity, please permit me to appreciate Nigerians, especially the youths, the women, all the younger generation, the people living with disabilities, all the various groups and organizations from within the country and outside the country, numbering into millions who have given the support so far.
“I thank you and I do my heart for you are giving me this courage. I did not lead you astray. and I will never lead you astray. I completed a cycle, I started the journey. and I ended it well. I am a party man; I am Yahaya Bello, the executive governor of Kogi state, who just participated in the last APC special national convention that came up with a flagbearer, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. A lot of you might be disenchanted disillusioned or not happy please, be calm”.
“The journey is not over. It is just a stop gap. Please let us support our party. The All Progressives, Congress. In every contest, there are bound to be your winner. And there are bound to be those who did not win. In all, we are all winners, APC must win for our dream for our hope to be alive. I thank you all God bless Nigeria, God bless our party and God bless all of us”.
On his advise to the youths, he said
“You can start from any level, as a youth, as women; as Nigerians, you can start from any level. My own first level is governorship, and God made it. And again, attempted presidency now. let us not give up hope. We must continue to try. I have learned a great lesson from this first trial. And I’m never beaten twice. So please continue to try”.
