A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Akinjide Kazeem Akinola, has dismissed claims linking Senator Abdulaziz Yari to an alleged gold bar seizure reportedly being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He described the allegation as misleading and damaging to the lawmaker's reputation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 16, Akinola said the report was being circulated by malicious actors seeking to tarnish the image of the former Zamfara State governor. He emphasized that the claim had no factual basis and amounted to an attempt to distort public perception of the senator's record.
Yari, who served two terms as governor of Zamfara State, remains widely respected among constituents for his public service and development initiatives, Akinola argued. He noted that anyone in Zamfara would attest to the senator's goodwill and commitment to public service even after leaving office.
EFCC listing cited in defense
The APC chieftain pointed out that the anti-graft agency had already released names of individuals allegedly linked to the case, and Yari was not among those mentioned. He said this should settle the matter and discourage further circulation of unverified claims.
“This tells you everything you need to know,” Akinola said, describing the allegation as part of repeated attempts to spread misinformation. He urged the public to be cautious about unverified reports, especially those involving public figures, warning that misinformation could damage reputations and distract from genuine investigations.
Call for restraint in public discourse
Akinola also reaffirmed support for President Bola Tinubu, describing Yari as a dependable ally within the ruling party. He called for restraint in public discourse and urged Nigerians to rely on official sources for accurate information.
The All Progressives Congress has not issued an official party-wide statement on the matter as of the time of filing this report. The allegations continue to circulate on social media, but no evidence has been presented to substantiate the claims against Senator Yari.
