Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and his successor, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, paid a visit to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, at his Abuja residence on Thursday afternoon.
The visit was confirmed by the minister’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). However, the purpose of the meeting and the topics discussed remain undisclosed.
Political Context
Yahaya Bello is currently facing multiple legal challenges, including a 19-count charge of alleged money laundering amounting to ₦80 billion. Additionally, the federal government has filed a separate ₦110.4 billion fraud case against him. Despite being out on bail, his legal battles have distanced him from the activities of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Bello has publicly accused powerful members within the APC of orchestrating his current challenges, further straining his relationship with the party’s leadership.
Speculation on the Visit
Political analysts view Bello’s visit to Wike, a key member of President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, as a potential move to forge new alliances and reintegrate himself into the ruling power structure. With Wike’s growing influence within the government, the meeting could signal an attempt by Bello to gain political support amid his ongoing challenges.
While no official details have emerged about the discussions, the visit has sparked conversations about shifting alliances and strategic maneuvering within Nigeria’s political landscape.