A youth mobilisation group, Governor Yahaya Bello 2 President Yahaya Bello (GYB2PYB), has flayed Governor Kayode Fayemi over his comments against Kogi state helmsman on controversial COVID-19 vaccine.
Director General of the group, Amb. Oladele John Nihi, a prominent youth activist, and former president, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), made this known on Friday in Abuja.
The GYB2PYB is a coalition of youth groups that have come together to mobilise Nigerians, specifically youths, to woo Bello into the 2023 presidential race.
According to Nihi, “And seeing how GYB (Gov. Yahaya Bello), has dominated the political space, he (Fayemi), has chosen to convert his chairmanship of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), to his campaign tool,’’ Nihi said.
According to the youth leader, whatever Bello said about COVID-19, he spoke as the leader and superintendent of his state, and one saddled with the responsibility of ensuring citizens were safe, and not on behalf of his colleagues.
“GYB did not speak on behalf of the NGF, the governors’ forum is not the spokesperson of the PTF (Presidential Task Force on COVID-19).
“So the NGF attacking GYB’s message to the Nigerian public is a misnomer and done in bad taste,” he said.
Nihi said governor Fayemi was hiding under the garb of the NGF to attack governor Bello, and that was not how to play fair.
“It would have been more honourable for Fayemi to come out and attack GYB instead of hiding under the garb of the governors’ forum.
“His Excellency is on course, his message is resonating and detractors will fail,’’ the youth leader said.
The NGF had in a statement by its chairman, and Ekiti state governor Fayemi criticised Bello over his comments and open rejection of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“On the ill-fated pronouncement made by a member of the forum regarding the COVID-19 vaccine in a national daily, the forum totally and categorically dissociates itself from the statement.
“The governors met and deliberated on matters of national importance, particularly the procurement and administration of COVID-19 vaccines in the country.
“The forum emphasises that it will continue to be informed and guided by science, and will ensure that every decision it takes will help retain public and professional trust and is not compromised by conflicts of interest,’’ Fayemi said.
But the group, in a swift reaction, described Bello as a “youthful, highly inclined, and a passion driven politician that Nigerians need for a true transformation of our dear country.
“A focused and energetic product such as governor Bello will make good impact in every sphere of governance, the health sector inclusive,’’ Nihi said.
