The aspiration of Yahaya Bello, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, to become the next president of Nigeria after President Mohammedu Buhari, has received a major boost from the South South region of the country following a consultative tour to stakeholders in the zone by a political group - Bello Ambassadors Network (BAN).

BAN, a major body formed to propagate youthful leadership with the projection of Yahaya Bello for the 2023 presidency, with over 3 million members across the country, ransacked the nooks and crannies of Akwa Ibom, Edo, Cross Rivers, Rivers, Delta, and the Bayelsa States, meeting political and traditional leaders, youth groups, professional bodies as well as students groups soliciting endorsements for Yahaya Bello.


The group led by its national coordinator, Hon. Anthony Edogbo in the company of its South-South regional coordinator Comrade Paul Ibara visited former House Members, party chieftains, academic dons, renowned traditional rulers, grassroots mobilizers, as well as several former and current local government chairmen and councilors across the states in the region.

Noteworthy in the group's your of South South was when it was welcomed to Rivers State by mammoth crowd comprising of youth and political leaders awaiting the arrival of the team. Upon arrival, the team was led to the famous palace of King Tom Ateke, the Ex-Militant Leader and first Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom in Okirika, where BAN received his support and royal blessings for Governor Bello.

Meeting with a former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Akwa Ibom State and Former House Member representing Oron III Federal Constituency, Mr. Otu Ita-Toyo, the group led by their grand patron, Chief Sunny Ibanga, didn't struggle to get an endorsement for Bello as the former lawmaker said, "I will gladly offer him ideas for the development of our country," noting that they have played their own part while in the government and that it is time for the young people to wake up and take over.


BAN in its tour consulted met several other noble personalities including, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police Prince Udom U. Ekpoudom; Chief Godwin Afangide, Former Commissioner in the Akwa Ibom State; Arck Samuel Akpan, Former Senior Special Assistant to the governor of the state; Captain Sam Ewang RT, Formal military Governor of Ogun and Rivers state and respected traditional rulers like the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V; Hon Sam Obo - a two times council chairman and party chieftain as well Member of the Edo state APC working committee; His Royal Highness RT. Hon. Agolia Cookey Aboko Benebo (JP), KING OMONI XII, Amayanabo of the Ke Kingdom in Rivers State and former House of Representative Member as well former Deputy State Chairman, Rivers State PDP; It also met Mr. Omiete Eferebo, the Rivers State APC Deputy Chairman.

Others met include Dr. Omoh Francis - Edo State APC Welfares Official who assured BAN that they "We will do the needful," and several other personalities in Delta and Bayelsa states; Engr. Lawrence Okah; and Chief Barrister Frank Okafi Erewele.

The team met with several groups which include the National Association of Nigerian Students - South-South chapter; National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students drawn from all higher institutions in the state, Igbo youths network in Akwa Ibom State, Charging Point International Political group in Calabar, Concerned Citizens of Cross Rivers, National Association of Cross Rivers State Students, National Youth Council Of Nigeria, Cross Rivers Chapter, and Cross Rivers Progressive Union.


It also made a special visitation to the Former House of Rep. Member representing Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency, Chief Ernest Irek; Senior Special Assistant to the governor of Cross Rivers State on Political Matters and Former Commissioner Local Government Affairs who was also Former State party chairman, Chief Dr. Ntufam Peter Ojie who said: "He looks into the future with a lot of hope for this country."

BAN, before leaving the South-South, also had a significant meeting with National Youth Council, Rivers State Chapter, led by Comrade Nwisabari Bani Samuel. In the confab held in GRA Port Harcourt, the youth told BAN that Yahaya Bello remains the eyes of the young people. The youth council said it has no alternative other than Bello as it has become obvious that the time for the young people has come.

The consultative tour which took BAN many days moving from one state to another across the South-South led to a declaration of support for Bello for the 2023 presidency in a communique issued at the end of the South-South Town Hall meeting held at the Legacy Hall Samlaw Hotels, Uyo which was attended by stakeholders and several group leaders from Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, Delta, Calabar and Akwa Ibom States.

Oluboh:
Plus

Imindmywords:
I am confident there is something this Bello trusts, he might get the APC ticket