Yahaya Bello, Governor of Kogi State, warned the northern governors and the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee on Tuesday that excluding him from the presidential primary would bring the party to its knees.
He issued the warning while briefing State House correspondents in the Villa, claiming that the northern governors did not consult him when the decision to rotate power to the southern region was made.
According to the Kogi governor, the only reason he would not run in the presidential primary is if President Muhammadu Buhari told him to.
Bello said that the APC will retain power at the centre if only it plays by the rules.
“I am a unifier; I have demonstrated that severally in my state, I have demonstrated that severally in the various tasks that I was given by the party,” Bello said.
“Nobody consulted me over the decision that they (northern governors) took. I will rather say that they were re-rolled by certain interests who want to be VP at all costs.
“Today is the special national convention of our party where a presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will emerge. Leading up to today, there has been various controversies and issues before you.
“Certain videos went viral that I got angry and left a particular meeting. This is a period where a lot of lies, and misconceptions will fill the air. Then we have our father, the leader of our party, who should always know the reality or the truth and I came to brief him on exactly what happened. That is what happened.
“Some of my colleagues led by the self-acclaimed leader of them ganged up to suppress the voice of the people. The voice of over 26 million Nigerians, the voice of the women, the voice of people living with special needs, the voice of the choice of the party, that is exactly what I revolted against.
“I remain the leading candidate into this general election and I decided the leave the meeting where such concoctions were ongoing, that’s exactly what happened. I wouldn’t mention a name because I am honourable enough.
“The office I occupy today is an office that should be dignified and I have respect for elders even if some elders don’t respect themselves, so I wouldn’t mention names.”