By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Apparently unhappy with the turn of events ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) election of its presidential candidate at the National Convention holding at the Eagle Square Abuja, one of the presidential aspirants and Governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello on Tuesday met behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.
This is even as he has warned that the APC will be heading to a bigger trouble if he is excluded from the list of contestants at the convention where the party’s flagbearer will be picked.
The Governor who spoke to State House Correspondents after his meeting with the President said he was at the Presidential Villa to explain to President Buhari on his reasons for walking out of a meeting of Northern Governors elected under the platform of the APC in Abuja on Monday.
He stressed that he was not consulted before what he called the unilateral decision on the choice of the APC Presidential candidate was made.
Said he: “I came to meet Mr. President not to have misconceptions about my stand on the decision of my colleague governors from the North as l did not agree with their resolution to exclude some candidates. I refused to tow their way”
“You see, some of my colleagues ganged up to try to suppress the voices of 26 million Nigerians mainly youths, women, disabled and many who support me. I don’t want to mention names because the office I occupy today is dignified and I respect elders”.
The Kogi Governor who said he represents the younger generation, emphasized that he will emerge victorious in a free and fair contest.
Asked if he is willing to step down for a consensus candidate if the need arises, Bello said that it is only the President that can instruct him to withdraw and he will consider it, pointing out that nobody can stop him from contesting and winning the election all things being equal.
