After months of deliberation, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Nigeria, on Monday announced his decision to run for president stating certain outstanding questions about the makeup of the 2023 race.
The governor conveyed to his supporters, and other Nigerians at the launching of a campaign group called the Global Alliance of Progressive Professionals.
Ahead of the National Convention of the ruling All Progressive Congress, slated to hold in 2022, some political players who are ambitious to emerge as the next president of Nigeria have started nursing their ambition to clinch the 2023 presidential ticket of the political party.
It is in this regard that the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has declared his interest in becoming the first politician from North-Central Nigeria to become the President ever since the return of democracy in 1999.
Following what used to be tagged as a rumor, the Kogi-born politician has formally declared his intention to run for President when he graces the occasion of the ‘Global Alliance of Progressive Professionals’.
The Kogi State Governor is believed to be the youngest Governor in Nigeria and has hinted at his strategies to record success in the race.
Bello And The 2023 Presidential Race
While many people think that Bello is just portraying himself to attract relevance in Nigeria politics, the Kogi Governor has continued to reach out to people who he believes share a similar political view with him and can contribute towards the realization of his ambition.
Global Alliance of Progressive Professionals, a group that was just launched by Bello has appeared to be ready to go around the country to consult key stakeholders who can mobilize support for the Governor ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
Perhaps, Bello hasn’t a long stay in the realm of Nigerian politics compare to many other politicians who are also jostling for the 2023 presidency as came to political limelight in 2016 after he benefited from the victory of Abubakar Audu who won the 2016 guber election in Kogi State but died before the swearing-in ceremony.
The Kogi State Governor still believes that he has what it takes to head the leadership of Nigeria.
Within his party, the All Progressive Congress, Bello will have to battle former Lagos State Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other politicians who have been tipped to have the intention of succeeding Buhari after the National Convention of APC.
Meanwhile, the Governor has talked of himself as a political player who has contributed towards the unit of the country.
He often emphasizes his ability to home herdsmen in Kogi State after they were made to leave Southern Nigeria because of the ban on open grazing and also ensure that they live peacefully with their host communities.
Bello also boasts of his age which is a plus because to him, the youth who are agitating for change in Nigeria believe in him. Perhaps this is why he has met some young and influential celebrities in Nigeria like Cubana Chief Priest and others.
Bello is relying on the young people in Nigeria who connect easily with these celebrities hence the need to get closer to the celebrities.
Yet, Nigerians are still anticipating 2022 and 2023 to see if Bello will clinch the APC ticket in 2022 when the presidential primary election of the ruling party will take place before the 2023 elections proper.
