TMSG dissociates self from pro-Yahaya Bello social media post, backs EFCC anti-graft initiatives

Abuja, Sept. 20, 2024 – The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has dissociated itself from a social media post in which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was maligned over its efforts to prosecute former Kogi state governor Yahaya Bello on alleged N80bn money laundering charges.

In a statement signed by its Chairman Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary Dapo Okubanjo, the group was emphatic that the author of the post, Jesutega Onokpasa is not in a position to use TMSG to fight a political, self-serving battle.

The group, therefore, disclaimed the post and totally distanced itself from it. 

“Our attention has been drawn to a social media post authored by Jesutega Onokpasa titled ‘What the hell is the EFCC up to with Yahaya Bello’ in which unsavoury words were used to malign the anti-graft agency and its leadership in its ongoing efforts to arrest the former governor.

“We have no problem with Mr Onokpasa expressing support for the former Kogi state governor in an individual capacity, but we are not comfortable with him dragging TMSG into his personal business.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Tinubu Media Support Group is a gathering of media practitioners who have taken upon themselves to positively highlight activities and achievements of the President Bola Tinubu administration, solely.

“It is not a group for hire, and neither is it one to be used for proxy fights against government officials or agencies. It also is not beholden to any other individual besides President Bola Tinubu.

“So, it is out of place for TMSG to be seen to be expressing support for former Gov. Bello, especially in his effort to escape justice or impugning the reputation of the EFCC and its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, for doing their job.

“We see it as a fraudulent act, apart from the fact that Yahaya Bello’s antics rubbishes the country. 

“Like many Nigerians, we read in the newspapers that the commission insisted that the former governor remained wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest still hanging on his neck, inspite of what his media handlers had earlier said about him honouring EFCC’s invitation on Wednesday.

“We know that the matter is in court even though former governor Bello serially failed to turn up, so we are dissociating ourselves as group from him and by extension Mr Onokpasa.” 

TMSG urged Nigerians to be wary of any attempt to use its name as a franchise for political shenanigans.  (GBN)