Yahaya Bello: I was critical of corrupt leaders — not Catholic bishops

Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state, says his statement at the presidential villa in Abuja on Friday was targeted at corrupt leaders and not Catholic bishops.

During a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, the bishops told the president that his goodwill is being depleted by the “glaring failures” of his government.

The clerics also said there is so much anger in the land over the performance of the current administration.

Speaking with state house correspondents after observing Ju’mat prayer at the presidential villa on Friday, Bello said he agreed with the bishops that people were angry but that those unhappy were the corrupt politicians.

He attributed their unhappiness to the fact that the president had blocked avenues through which funds were looted.

The governor said “looters” were angry because they can no longer pay tithe.

“The question is, who are those Nigerians who are angry? The category of Nigerians that are angry are those who used a private jet to cart away Nigeria’s money, in dollars, out of the country to South Africa (in reference to the case of alleged money laundering involving a former president of Christian Association of Nigeria),” he had said.

“I’m sure you are away that our money is still locked down there, such money if you bring it into the economy, a lot of youth who are unemployed will surely be employed. And of course those that have looted the country dry and normally go to the church and mosque to pay tithe are no longing doing so. Of course, this is the category of people who are angry.”

But in a statement on Saturday, Bello said he would not do anything to disparage the bishops because he has “tremendous respect for the Catholic community”.

He spoke in a statement which Kingsley Fanwo, his director-general of media and publicity, issued on his behalf.

“My statements to the press were well documented. I was critical of corrupt leaders, who have been disconnected from the looting pipes. These are the leaders who are launching campaign of calumny against Mr. President,” he said.

“These categories of leaders belong to different faith and may attempt to mislead highly respected religious leaders into joining their antagonism towards the anti-corruption crusade of Mr. President. 2019 is a year of determination for our nation and I have no regret leading the charge for the re-election of Mr. President who had given hope to the hopeless in the society.”

Bello charged religious leaders to join the president’s fight against corruption, insisting that no good religion has a place for corruption and corrupt people.

“The Catholic Church has done very well in promoting literacy and healthcare. I am quite familiar with a good number of Catholic Priests and I know their stance on the issue of corruption. Every church and religion must fight corruption because corruption oppresses the poor and destroy justice and fairness,” he said.