Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, says citizens of Nigeria should allow no one to use religion or ethnicity to cause division among them.
He gave the advice on Wednesday, during an interview with State House Correspondents, after meeting behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari.
Bello noted the ongoing debate on who becomes the running mate of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC and said: “Our flag bearer, Bola Tinubu is an astute politician that knows the game very well.
“He knows how to win a contest, especially at this level. I am confident that the President, Tinubu, leaders, and elders of our party will come up with a selection that will sell the party and its candidate and ensure victory,
“Whether Muslim-Muslim ticket or a Christian, from North-East or wherever I am confident that the party is going to come up with someone who will help attain the victory that we are envisaging.
“So, whether a Muslim or a Christian, we are all Nigerian. For a long time now, I have advocated that we should de-emphasise what divides us; rather, we should dwell on what unites us more.”
He, however, said merit is key to the emergence of leaders at all levels because specific challenges confronting the nation today can be resolved by people who have the experience and will to address them.
The Kogi State Governor used the opportunity to appreciate his supporters, especially the youths, women, and people living with disabilities, who urged him to aspire for the number one seat in the country. However, he couldn’t win the APC presidential primary election.
“Let me use this opportunity to appreciate Nigerians, especially the youths, women, people living with disabilities, and all the various groups and organizations, within and outside the country, numbering millions, who have given me support so far.
“I thank you, and I duff my hand to you for giving me this courage. I did not lead you astray, and I will never lead you astray. I completed the circle, started the journey, and ended it well. Please let us support our party, the APC,” he said.
The Governor added that he was in the State House to thank President Buhari for allowing him to join the APC presidential race, where Bola Tinubu emerged as the winner and went further to express his loyalty to the President and the APC.
Suzan O.
