Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has announced plans to take legal action against the operators of Daily Excessive, an online media platform, over a report alleging that he made inflammatory comments about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement signed by Michael Ohiare, Director of the Yahaya Bello Media Office, the former governor described the report as a deliberate attempt to sow discord between him and President Tinubu. The statement also labeled the claims as “fabricated” and accused political detractors of orchestrating the smear campaign.
The controversial report, published by Daily Excessive, claimed Bello had threatened, during a court session, to reveal how Tinubu became president. Ohiare dismissed the publication as “mischievous” and “baseless,” arguing that no credible Nigerian would believe such allegations, especially since court proceedings are public records.
“Our attention has been drawn to a ludicrous and outrightly false report by a mushroom blog called Daily Excessive, which attributed fake quotes about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Alhaji Yahaya Bello,” the statement read.
Ohiare said the report was part of a broader campaign by “irresponsible politicians” to tarnish Bello’s reputation and create friction between him and the president.
“The report is nothing more than a desperate and laughable attempt to strain the cordial relationship between President Tinubu and Alhaji Yahaya Bello. It is another failed ploy by detractors to discredit him,” he said.
The statement clarified that no trials have commenced in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) cases involving Bello, adding that he had only entered pleas in court.
“The court is an open forum, and proceedings are accessible to journalists and stakeholders. No informed individual would take such an unsubstantiated report seriously,” Ohiare stated.
The former governor’s media office also emphasized Bello’s unwavering support for President Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing that the claims were an outright fabrication.
“Alhaji Yahaya Bello holds great respect for President Tinubu and the office he occupies. He would never make such reckless remarks attributed to him. These fabrications are the handiwork of mischief makers,” the statement said.
Ohiare further revealed that security agencies had been notified to identify the individuals behind the platform responsible for spreading the alleged fake news.
“We have taken steps to ensure that those behind this smear campaign are identified and made to face the full weight of the law,” he added.
The statement concluded by reaffirming Bello’s commitment to maintaining a strong relationship with the president and promoting unity within the APC, despite what it called “desperate attempts by detractors to cause division.”
