Last week, INEC sacked two their staff involved in the registration of Bello in May 2017, with a vow to prosecute the governor.
But Bello has said he is still consulting with his counsel before taking a final decision.
He spoke on Monday through his Director General, Media and Publicity, Kingsley Fanwo. Bello said: “We have not said anything about the allegation because we have to allow our legal team take it up and expose the incoherence and falsehood surrounding the politically orchestrated allegation.
“The Governor will soon come out to lay the truth on the table. Impregnable facts will dwarf the current campaign of calumny against the person of Governor Yahaya Bello.
“INEC had told the world they had no evidence of double registration. They also gave dates during which the purported double registration took place. They may have to be confronted with their own words.
“Those calling for the Governor’s resignation over a mere allegation have further exposed their ignorance and desperation. They need to wait till 2019 to test their popularity among the people of Kogi State.
“Why are they sounding critical publicly while sending emissaries to plead with the Governor for the remedy of their dimming political hope ahead of 2019? Their hypocrisy will soon be a public knowledge.
“The Governor will clear his name. But he remains focused on his goal of making Kogi a better place for all.”
According to INEC, Bello may spend one year in prison or pay a fine of N100,000 or both if found guilty of double registration by the court after expiration of his tenure.
Sections 12 and 13 of the Electoral Act is explicit on the issue of double or multiple registration.
Section 12 (1) states: “A person shall be qualified to be registered as a voter if such a person:
“(a) is a citizen of Nigeria;
“(b) has attained the age of eighteen years;
“(c) is ordinarily resident, works in, originates from the Local
“Government/Area Council or Ward covered by the registration centre;
“(d) presents himself to the registration officers of the Commission for registration as a voter; and
“(e) is not subject to any legal incapacity to vote under any law, rule or regulations in force in Nigeria.
“(2) No person shall register in more than one registration centre or register more than once in the same registration centre.
“(3) Any person who contravenes the provisions of subsection (2) of this section
“Commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding N100,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both.”
On Thursday, INEC, in a statement said: “While the governor of Kogi State currently enjoys immunity from prosecution the commission took the following decision in respect of its own staff.
“Summary dismissal of two staff for acts of gross misconduct.
“Immediate compulsory retirement of an Electoral officer for Act of misconduct.”
In May 2017, INEC set up a committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged double registration by Bello.