I’ve never been beaten twice, I’ll contest again, Yahaya Bello vows

Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has said he would take another shot at the presidency, following his loss at the presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He gave the hint during a chat with newsmen at the State House, Abuja, after he paid a “thank you” visit to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Bello said the presidential race afforded him opportunity to “test the microphone”, vowing that his next attempt would be “supersonic.”

He said: “Let us not give up hope. We must continue to try. I have learned a great lesson from this first trial. And I’m never beaten twice.”

Bello appealed to his supporters not to be disillusioned, stressing that in life “sometimes you win some and sometimes you lose some.”

Speaking on the appropriateness of APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, fielding a Muslim as running mate, Bello argued that religion or region should not be a factor. He said the major consideration should be ability to deliver.

He said: “Tinubu is an astute politician. He understands the game well and he knows how to win a contest, especially at this level.”

I’m confident that Mr. President, our party leaders and elders will come up with a selection that is going to sell the party and the candidature of our party, and ensure victory, whether Muslim-Muslim ticket or Christian, northeast or wherever.

“Whether it’s Muslim or Christian, we’re all Nigerians. I have been advocating that we should de-emphasise our fault lines, which divide us. Let us rather dwell on what unites us more. That is my position.”