Former Yahaya Bello has been cleared by the All Progressives Congress to participate in the party’s primary election for the Kogi Central Senatorial District, ending speculation that he had not been screened by the party.
Bello, alongside 2 other aspirants in the zone and 14 others from Kogi West and East, was confirmed cleared ahead of the APC primary scheduled for 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 primary.
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 information from the party confirmed that the former governor successfully passed the screening process and remains in the race for the APC senatorial ticket.
Party stakeholders in Kogi Central described the clearance as a major boost to preparations for Monday’s primary, which is expected to attract significant political attention across Kogi State because of Bello’s political influence and the calibre of aspirants participating in the exercise.
Observers believe Bello’s entry into the race has 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 the party’s electoral guidelines, after which the winner will face Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Kogi Central Senatorial election.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
