The Kogi State governor and one of the contenders for the 2023 presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC),  Yahaya Bello, has said he would beat the national leader of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; a former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi; Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi; a former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha and others gunning for the party’s ticket. 

 The governor said over 18 million Nigerians with permanent voter’s cards (PVCs) were already waiting to vote for him in 2023.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) timetable for the 2023 general polls, all political parties are to conduct their primaries between April and June 3, 2022.

Answering questions from newsmen yesterday at the ‘Second Annual GYB Seminar for Nigeria’s Political and Crime Correspondents’ in Abuja, Bello said the founding fathers of the party should allow others to build on the foundation they laid. 

He said, “They are founding members of this party, but foundation alone is not a building; you must build on it. 

“I know there are other champions in the race, but I believe I will beat them. Politics is a game of numbers. I represent the majority as far as the politics of this country is concerned.   

“We have identified over 18 million voters with PVCs who are ready to vote for GYB. So I am not afraid of going into the race. We are in this race to win.” 

Governor Bello said he would tackle insecurity in the country if elected president in 2023.