Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has distanced himself from a social media supporter who accused President Bola Tinubu of using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to witch-hunt him. The supporter, identified as Joy Sadiq and popularly known as Real Mamakogi, posted a three-minute video on Facebook alleging that President Tinubu betrayed Bello despite his contributions to the president’s 2023 election victory. She claimed that instead of rewarding the former governor, the president was harassing him and attempting to turn the incumbent Kogi State governor, Usman Ododo, against him.
In the video, she praised Bello’s efforts during the campaign and accused the president of being ungrateful, stating that the former governor walked across the state “in slippers, under the rain and sun” to ensure Tinubu’s victory. She further alleged that the president was trying to undermine Bello’s influence in Kogi State. The video generated mixed reactions online, with some criticising the president and others questioning her motives.In a statement he personally signed on Sunday, Bello dissociated himself from the woman, stressing that he has no personal relationship with her. He condemned her comments, noting that she had previously attacked prominent Nigerians supposedly on his behalf.
“For clarity and in the public interest, I wish to state in vehement and unmistakable terms that I have no association with this individual beyond the fact that she can sometimes be found within the ranks of those who claim dubious allegiance to our great party, the APC, in Kogi State,” he said. He added that her claims—particularly the allegations of betrayal, exclusion from government and manipulation by political or security authorities—were inaccurate and misleading.“She does not speak for me, has never represented me, much less any government or entity under my leadership or control, and her assertions are made entirely on her own accord,” he said.
Bello reaffirmed his loyalty to President Tinubu and his support for his 2027 re-election bid. “My relationship with our leader and father, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, remains strong—grounded in respect, understanding, and shared commitment to our collective political goals. I remain utterly and totally sold-out to the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027,” he added. He urged the public and media to disregard the video and treat the statements as uninformed, malicious, and unconnected to him.
