Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has been cleared by the All Progressives Congress to participate in the party’s primary election for the Kogi Central Senatorial District, putting to rest speculations that he had not been screened by the party.
Bello, alongside two other aspirants in the zone and 14 others from Kogi West and East, was officially confirmed cleared ahead of the APC primary scheduled to hold on Monday.
Among those cleared to contest the ticket with the former governor is the APC Diaspora Secretary, Momoh Obaro, while Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke is also expected to contest in the highly anticipated exercise.
The development follows days of political tension and widespread rumours within party circles suggesting Bello’s screening process may have encountered complications, raising doubts over his eligibility for the contest.
However, fresh confirmation from the party has now established that the former governor successfully scaled the screening process and remains firmly in the race for the APC senatorial ticket.
Party stakeholders in Kogi Central described the clearance as a significant boost to preparations for Monday’s primary, which is expected to attract considerable political attention across the state due to Bello’s influence and the calibre of aspirants involved.
Observers believe Bello’s participation has further intensified political activities within the district, with supporters already mobilising ahead of the primary election.
The APC is expected to conduct the primary in line with its electoral guidelines, after which the winner will emerge as the party’s flagbearer for the Kogi Central Senatorial contest.
The eventual APC candidate is expected to face off against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched senatorial races in the state.
Bello’s clearance effectively ends uncertainty surrounding his participation and sets the stage for a competitive primary contest.
What You Should Know
Yahaya Bello’s clearance is politically significant because of his enduring influence within Kogi APC structures despite leaving office as governor.
His entry into the Kogi Central senatorial race raises the stakes of the primary and could reshape political alignments within the district. The speculation surrounding his screening reflected broader tensions within the party over candidate selection and internal power dynamics.
If Bello secures the APC ticket, the general election contest against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan could become one of the most high-profile senatorial battles in Nigeria, given both figures’ political visibility and the strategic importance of Kogi Central in national politics.
