2023: Group Urges Yahaya Bello To Contest For Presidency—-The National Youth Mandate Group (NYMG) has called on Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi to contest for presidency in 2023, to consolidate on the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Convener and National Coordinator of the group, Mr Abbah Abba, made the call in a statement on Thursday, in Abuja.

Abba, who also called for a youthful president in 2023, said the group had settled to continued to work round clock for the candidacy of Bello.

He explained that the group decided to call on Bello to run for the highest political position in the country because of the achievements recorded by his administration.

Abba said Bello had recorded great strides in the areas of security, education, health and other sectors.

He said  that the group, in conjunction with North Central National Youth Leaders Council (NCNYLC), would be holding  programme on Bello  in the six geopolitical zones in the country.

Abba said the programme would commence in Benue State in March, where youth groups, students and other political groups would be invited for an interactive session.

He added that the interactive session would educate the youth on the need for them to join head in supporting the emergence of Gov. Bello as the next president of the country come 2023.

“We call on Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi to please contest for president come 2023 in order for him to consolidate on the achievements recorded by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

“We believe Bello has performed well in the areas of security, education, infrastructural development, human capital development, health services and many more.

” We will do our better to mobilise support for Bello across the nooks and crannies of the country, ” Abba said.

As the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) prepares for its national convention, claims and counter claims on zoning of key positions of the party have continued to generate issues.

This is, even as, many heavyweights and pressure groups within the party have also relentlessly proposed one system or the other, intended to scheme other groups or bloc, with some working to sabotage the convention entirely.

For the ruling party and the convention planning committee led by Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, it is one day, three dramas – one for morning, one for afternoon and another in the evening, as days draw close to the convention.

The convention has been fixed for Saturday 26th February, 2022 with six top contenders, all from the north, gunning for the number one seat of the party.

Those frontliners are former Governors, serving Senators, serving Minister and others.

For umpteenth times, rumours have gathered that the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) had zoned certain positions and for umpteenth times, Governor Buni had countered it, saying, the committee had not concluded on any zone to produce any position.

A front page story of a leading national newspaper of Thursday, February 17, 2022, with the headline, ‘Finally, APC Governors Reach Consensus, Zone Chairmanship To North Central’; stated that the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) met in Abuja on Wednesday and agreed to zone the number one seat to North Central, while zoning the Deputy National Chairman (DNC) and National Secretary Positions to the South.

Though the paper never mentioned in particular, names of those in attendance that could have taken such vital decision on behalf of the party, it only said a source close to the Governors who did not want his name mentioned.

According to the “source”, the Governors also micro-zone the chairmanship to Benue State and tipped Buhari’s Minister on Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Senator George Akume.

But a simple fact check by this newspaper on Thursday morning, suggested that the Progressive Governors did not conclude on zoning the positions.

“Yes, they (Governors) met but they could not resolve on the zoning. Although many who spoke were in support of zoning the chairmanship position to North Centre, but it was not concluded yet.

“It is after they have convinced the southern Governors and they have accepted it that we can say the PGF has zoned the position. If anyone tells you anything otherwise, let him mention the names of the Governors in that meeting and also mention whoever addressed the press. In such meetings, the Chairman of the PGF would address the press and open up on the decision of his forum. But for now, nothing like that”, a close source at the PGF hinted.

Also, a source at the CECPC who prefers to be anonymous, said, though the PGF has the right to suggest to the planning committee or proffer advice, just like any other group or organ in the party; but the Governors had not written to the Committee on anything zoning.

“I understand their Tuesday’s meeting on zoning ended in deadlock, so don’t let anyone deceive you. Come to think of it, why would they zone a position to North Central and sat there immediately and picked only one aspirant, is Akume the only aspirant from North Central? Why would they ask those from the South to go home and meet with aspirants and bring candidates for DNC and Secretary, but in the case of chairmanship, they said they have picked a particular person.

“I don’t believe such cock and bull story  and I think nobody would even believe it. We have channels of communication in our party. APC is a ruling party that has everything, the Progressive Governors that I know, are very experienced and principled. They would not want to send such a sensitive message to the CECPC via a page of newspaper.

“They have the right, like any other organs of the party, to advise the planning committee, but nothing like that has happened. We are working diligently to see that the convention holds and with a credible outing too”, the source added.

Edwin Ochogwu, a House of Assembly aspirant from Benue State, on his part, told this newspaper that, “the PGF is divided into 3 to 4 camps and the news could be the latest mischief by one of the groups to deceive other members of the PGF and the general public”.

Already, the proposed national convention has been a subject of controversy for the past few weeks, with some calling for its postponement, amidst crises at state chapters and Court suits.

As at now, several persons are in court, either at the state levels and national, trying to stop the convention.

The Kogi State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress has been inaugurated with the newly elected Executives called upon to sustain its winning streak.

Performing the swearing in and inauguration ceremony at the State Secretariat of the Party today, Gov. Yahaya Bello described the APC in Nigeria and the State as the Party to beat in the forthcoming 2023 General Election.

Gov. Bello who was represented at the swearing in ceremony by his Deputy, Chief Edward Onoja, urged the newly sworn in Executive Members to see their Election as a call to more service and to do more in sustaining the feats achieved by the Party, pointed out that their reelection is a justification of the confidence reposed on them.

Gov. Bello congratulated the new Executive Members urged to strive towards unity the party from the state to the polling units levels.

He urged them to make unity and oneness the bedrocks of their deliberations, described Kogi State as a State that is focused on unity and oneness to continue to maintain its win streak.

The Governor described the Party as supreme, urged the newly Inaugurated executive members not to jump protocols, insisting that the Parry’s heirarchy remains sacrosanct.

In an opening remarks, Alh. Abdullahi Bello, assured that the APC in the remains the Party to beat having captured the State in previous elections, appealed to the newly elected Executives to live above board

He urged the new executive members at all levels to carry along all party members, commended the immense support of Gov. Yahaya Bello for recognizing hardwork, promised to remain faithful and loyal to the ideals of the Party and that of Gov. Yahaya Bello.

Alh. Abdullahi Bello maintained that for now there is no opposition party in Kogi State, tasked the new executive members to bring in more members into the Parry’s fold ahead 2023.

Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja to discuss national issues and the nation’s state of security.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Onogwu Muhammed, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, in Abuja.

According to Muhammed, Bello and President Buhari have detailed discussions on politics and security.

“The governor, in his usual concern for matters relating to governance and security, was at the villa for progressive talks with the President.

“They shared ideas and also reached certain conclusions that I won’t want to disclose for confidentiality purposes,” Muhammed stated.

Bello lauded the President’s efforts in curbing insecurity in the Northwest, adding that the people of the zone would soon start reaping the dividends of those efforts.

Muhammed also noted that Buhari received the governor with joy.

He noted that Bello is one of the leading aspirants seeking to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 and he has enjoyed support from different groups across the country.

He stated that earlier in January, no fewer than 600 women groups, drawn from different parts of the country converged in Abuja for a solidarity walk for Governor Bello to run for presidential election. (NAN)

The Chief of Staff to Alhaji Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Pharm. Jamiu Asuku has called on Nigerian youths to embrace and support Governor Yahaya Bello for 2023 presidency.

Asuku stated this on Saturday in Gombe when the North East chapter of Rescue Nigeria Mission (RENMISS) – a youth support group agitating for good and youthful governance converged to call on Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state to contest the 2023 Presidential election.

Asuku said the youths must began to look inward and supports their own vying for political positions in the next year general election.

The Chief of Staff said there was a need for the youths to rally around the presidential aspiration of the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, saying he was the one that could put the country into proper shape.

He said, “Governor Yahaya Bello is the only one who will provide purposeful leadership and good governance if elected as President in the 2023 general elections.”

He said no where in the length and breadth of the country as any one place emphasis on youths in governance, “Anyone, like Governor Yahaya Bello who has given women and young people the platform to be the drivers in their own affairs, will perform well if elected into an exalted office.”

The Chief of Staff, though representing the governor said Bello presidency is one that will benefit the youths tremendously.

He said the governor aspiration is for the youths who formed the fulcrum of the country’s development fulcrum.

“I must appreciate the efforts of the various groups standing up to fight for a better Nigeria in 2023.

At this stage, we must come to the reality that their is the need to have a youthful candidate who has the capacity to lead this country out of her present challenges – Governor Yahaya Bello thicked the right boxes in this regards.”

He emphasized that the governor has also broken the barrier of ethnic jingoism in the state, and has shown himself as a pan Nigeria man in his appointment that cut across different tribal groups, coupled with the capacity he displayed in tackling insecurity.

The national Coordinator of the group A.S Damat who led other Youth leaders across the Northeast in his remark commended the Governor for his giant strides in infrastructural development, security, education, women and youth inclusiveness among several others.

They endorsed Governor Yahaya Bello as the only candidate fit and capable to lead Nigeria out of the numerous challenges been faced by the country.

The Special Adviser to Kogi state Governor on Youth and Students Affairs, Comr. Ahmadu Jibril who gave the opening remark highlighted the achievements of the Governor, from infrastructures to health, youth and women empowerment, education, security and mostly his handling of the covid 19 crisis that crumbled the world economy.

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello on Wednesday signed an estimated N145.8 billion 2022 budget into law after the earlier presented budget was passed by the Kogi State House of Assembly. The governor also signed a law to repeal and reenact Kogi State Local Government audit 2020 and other matters 2021.
Governor Bello in his remarks after signing the budget into law stressed that although the year 2021 came with a lot of challenges, the new budgetary effort would be geared towards accelerating results and consolidating on the achievements in the year.
The governor stressed that the government did not intend to fall into second position in transparency rating by reputable international and national financial bodies in 2022, promising that the resources of the state would continue to be used entirely for the citizens.

He noted that his government would continue to deal decisively with issues of corruption and stem out corruption to the barest minimum, while he assured that the government would continue to be transparent in its financial dealings by showing a high level of probity and accountability.
In the area of economy, governor Bello noted that it would continue to consolidate on the administration’s infrastructural drive and also improve on security, because without security there can’t be any meaningful economic development in the state.
The governor appreciated all the respective Law enforcement agencies and the citizens who has always respond positively when the need arises, He urged the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning to ensure adequate implementation of all the provision of the budget
Governor Bello thanked the Speaker and all the state Assembly members for always attending to the administration’s request as promptly, noting that in Kogi state all the arms of government were having an excellent and smooth working relationship.
He stated that their official relationship have transcended into a more personal relationship which allows them to care for each other’s concerns, noting that such was the type of relationship that should exist between the arms of government.
The governor urged each and every citizen to remain vigilant while they render adequate support for the security operatives to ensure that our communities were safe.
The speaker Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mathew Kolawole while presenting the budget said the 2022 budget was speedily and diligently passed by the House of Assembly, noting that they all worked assiduously to ensure the passage of the financial appropriation within time.

He expressed gratitude to the Governor for his show of love to the state House of Assembly which has enhanced cooperation amongst the arms of government while the speaker requested ascent to the financial management bill for the legislative and judicial arm.
In his vote of thanks, the Hon. Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Idris Asiru thanked the Governor for performing his duty by giving the state a “SMART” budget which is derived from community inputs.
He said the revenue side of the state budget currently stands at 87% while the performance (expenditure) side stands at 85%. He said it is an achievement enabled by the governor’s support through provision of logistics and freedom to operate.
The Commissioner said going into 2022, the state aims to achieve a revenue target of 95% and expenditure side of 90%. This he stressed is achievable with teamwork and strict adherence to fiscal responsibility which the state is known for.