TheCable

Yahaya Bello, Kogi state governor, says he is prepared to prove his innocence on the allegation of double registration levelled against him by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

INEC had accused Bello of engaging in double registration during the voter registration exercise.

The commission dismissed two of its staff accused of being involved in the matter.

Speaking through Kingsley Fanwo, his media aide, Bello said he is “upbeat in the midst of allegation of double registration against him”.

The statement issued by Fanwo read: “We have not said anything about the allegation because we have to allow our legal team take it up and expose the incoherence and falsehood surrounding the politically orchestrated allegation.

“The governor will soon come out to lay the truth on the table. Impregnable facts will dwarf the current campaign of calumny against the person of the governor.

“INEC had told the world they had no evidence of double registration. They also gave dates during which the purported double registration took place.

“They may have to be confronted with their own words.”

He said those calling for the governor’s resignation over a “mere” allegation have further exposed their “ignorance and desperation”.

He said: “They need to wait till 2019 to test their popularity among the people of Kogi.

“Why are they sounding critical publicly while sending emissaries to plead with the governor for the remedy of their dimming political hope ahead of 2019?

“Their hypocrisy will soon be public knowledge. The governor will clear his name. But he remains focused on his goal of making Kogi a better place for all.”