BREAKING: Former Governor Yahaya Bello Wins APC Kogi Central Senatorial Primary
The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary for Kogi Central ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Genius Media Nigeria reports that the primary, which was held on Monday, had two other aspirants in the race for the party’s ticket.
Those who contested against the former governor were the APC Diaspora Secretary, Momoh Obaro, and Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke.
Bello’s emergence followed days of political tension and speculation within party circles over whether he would be cleared to participate in the contest.
The embattled former governor was said to have defeated Obaro and Adoke to secure the APC ticket for the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The contest had attracted attention because of Bello’s political influence in Kogi State and the controversy that surrounded his screening before the primary.
Ahead of the exercise, there were widespread rumours that Bello’s screening process had encountered complications, raising doubts over his eligibility to contest.
However, the APC National Assembly Screening Committee later cleared Bello and other aspirants to participate in the senatorial primaries in the state. Reports said the party cleared 17 senatorial aspirants across Kogi’s three senatorial districts for the primaries scheduled for Monday.
Screening Speculation Preceded Primary
The controversy over Bello’s participation had deepened after reports suggested that he did not appear before the party’s screening panel.
It was reported earlier that the former governor was not cleared to participate in the APC senatorial primaries after allegedly failing to appear before the party’s screening panel.
The report had fuelled uncertainty over Bello’s political next step, especially as the former governor is facing corruption-related charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
However, subsequent reports indicated that the APC later cleared Bello for the Kogi Central senatorial primary, putting him on the ballot alongside Obaro and Adoke.
Bello’s victory has now positioned him as the APC’s candidate for the Kogi Central Senate seat in the 2027 general elections.
The seat is currently one of the most watched contests in Kogi politics, given Bello’s status as a former two-term governor and the high political stakes in the district.
His emergence also sets the stage for a major contest ahead of the general election, as parties begin preparations for the 2027 polls.
Naija News reports that Bello served as Kogi State governor from 2016 to 2024.
