Ex-Governor Yahaya Bello Clinches APC Kogi Central Senatorial Ticket In Landslide Victory

The primary election, held on Monday, featured two other contestants who also vied for the party’s ticket.

They include the APC Diaspora Secretary, Momoh Obaro, and Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke, both of whom lost to the former governor.

Bello’s victory came after days of political tension and speculation within the party over his eligibility and clearance to participate in the race.

The former governor, who had been described as embattled in some quarters, eventually defeated both Obaro and Adoke to clinch the APC ticket for Kogi Central Senatorial District.

The contest had drawn significant attention due to Bello’s political influence in the state and the controversy surrounding his screening process before the primaries.

Prior to the election, there were reports suggesting uncertainty over whether he would be cleared to contest, with rumours claiming he did not appear before the party’s screening committee.

However, the APC National Assembly Screening Committee later cleared Bello and other aspirants to participate in the senatorial primaries across the state. The party reportedly cleared 17 senatorial aspirants across Kogi’s three senatorial districts for the exercise.

Screening Controversy Before the Poll

The controversy intensified after initial reports alleged that Bello had not appeared before the screening panel, raising doubts about his participation.

These reports also linked uncertainty around his political future to ongoing corruption charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Despite the earlier confusion, later developments confirmed that the APC had cleared him to contest, placing him on the ballot alongside Obaro and Adoke.

With his victory, Bello has now emerged as the APC candidate for the Kogi Central senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.

The seat is regarded as one of the most closely watched in Kogi politics, given Bello’s influence as a former two-term governor and the high stakes involved.

His emergence is expected to set the stage for a heated contest in the general election as political parties intensify preparations for 2027.

Yahaya Bello served as Governor of Kogi State from 2016 to 2024.