Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as his commitment to fighting corruption, saying he and others are following the President’s footsteps in the anti-corruption campaign.
Bello made the remarks while speaking about Tinubu’s leadership and his administration’s approach to tackling corruption in Nigeria.
“President Tinubu is one of the Nigerians who hate corruption, and we are following in his footsteps in the fight against corruption,” Bello said.
The former governor’s comments have generated reactions online, particularly because they come amid continuing national debates over the effectiveness and impartiality of Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions.
Bello portrayed Tinubu as a leader who is opposed to corruption and whose example should be followed by political actors and public officials.
His statement was subsequently circulated on social media, where supporters and critics of the President offered sharply different interpretations of the remarks.
The comments have attracted particular attention because Bello himself has faced corruption-related legal proceedings.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has prosecuted allegations against the former governor, which he has denied. Allegations or charges against a person, however, should not be treated as proof of guilt unless established through the legal process.
Consequently, Bello’s declaration that Tinubu “hates corruption” has prompted some Nigerians online to question the broader anti-corruption record of the administration and how cases involving politically exposed persons are handled.
Corruption remains one of the most prominent issues in Nigeria's political discourse, with successive administrations pledging to strengthen institutions, recover public funds and prosecute individuals accused of economic and financial crimes.
Tinubu's administration has repeatedly presented the fight against corruption as part of its governance agenda, while critics have questioned whether enforcement is sufficiently consistent across political lines.
Bello's latest comments therefore add to an already contentious national conversation about whether Nigeria's anti-corruption campaign is being pursued fairly and without political considerations.
By saying that “we are following in his footsteps,” Bello appeared to associate his own anti-corruption position with that of the President.
The statement is likely to attract further political discussion as Nigeria moves toward the 2027 general elections, when the records and credibility of political leaders are expected to face increased scrutiny.
For Bello, however, the message was clear: he considers Tinubu an example in the fight against corruption and believes political actors should emulate what he described as the President's stance.
The remark has since become another flashpoint in the wider debate over corruption, accountability and political loyalty in Nigeria.
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