Kola Abiola, son of the late MKO Abiola, says he does not governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State personally to draw a comparison between him and his father.
Earlier in April, Bello declared his intention to vie for president on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He them appointed Hafsat Abiola-Costello, one of Abiola’s daughters, as the director-general of his presidential campaign organisation.
Speaking on her appointment, Hafsat had said she accepted the position because the Kogi governor is on the same pedestal with her father in terms of qualities and characters.
But reacting to the development, Tundun Abiola — another daughter of Abiola — during a flagship programme, morning show, on Arise TV, lampooned Hafsat for comparing their father with Bello, she said her half-sister was exploiting her father’s influence and goodwill for the governor’s benefit.
Reacting to Hafsat assertion, Kola said he would not make public comment on the issue.
Speaking on Friday when he featured on ‘One on One’, a programme on ARISE TV, Kola said it behooves him and his siblings to preserve their father’s image and protect what he stood for.
“My late father, MKO, is a national brand that belongs to all Nigerians. We’re the custodians of that brand and for me, as the head of the family, my response is a lot more mature. I’d rather not discuss family issues publicly. That’s my role. It’s to protect that, and not just to protect that, but to protect what MKO himself stands for,” he said.
He said as the head of the family his reaction will be mature, adding that if he had anything to say he would say it to Hafsat.
“So, I won’t comment publicly on that. If I have my comments, when I see Hafsat, I’ll make them directly to her or any family member that wants my comments. But publicly, I’d never do that.
“They’ve come to me to ask and I’ve told them what I think and that’s it. It’s family. I won’t go public. I have to play the mature one here and that’s always been my role even at my own expense, detriment, because that’s the role I’m meant to play.
“I think I’ve met Yahaya Bello one or twice. I don’t know him to talk about him. I don’t know him well enough. Also, he’s a lot younger than I am anyway. I’m not so old either, but that’s that.”