APC primaries: Yahaya Bello, others cleared, as PDP produces Reps candidates in Kogi

Adebayo Obajemu

Former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello, has been cleared by the All Progressives Congress National Assembly Aspirants Screening Committee to participate in the party’s senatorial primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections in Kogi.

The Screening Committee has given approval to 17 senatorial aspirants across the state’s three senatorial districts for the primaries scheduled for today.

Bello has been a subject of discussion as to whether he will be cleared considering his case with the EFCC.He was officially confirmed as his name appeared as number 13 on the list of cleared aspirants for the Kogi Central Senatorial District race.

The former governor is expected to slug it out with Momoh Yusuf Obaro and Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke for the party’s ticket.

In Kogi West, incumbent Senator Sunday Karimi emerged as the consensus candidate after a stakeholders’ meeting chaired by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo at the Government House in Lokoja.

Although six other aspirants, including former Senator Smart Adeyemi and Aro Samuel Bamidele, were also cleared by the committee, political observers believe Karimi remains the frontrunner following the consensus arrangement.

For Kogi East Senatorial District, seven aspirants were cleared to contest the APC primary. They include incumbent Senator Isah Jibrin Echocho, Joseph Erico Ameh, and Murtala Yakubu Ajaka.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has produced its House of Representatives candidates in Kogi through consensus arrangements across several federal constituencies.

Former lawmaker Abdulrahman Badamasuiy emerged as the PDP candidate for Okehi/Adavi Federal Constituency. Badamasuiy represented the constituency between 2011 and 2015.

Also emerging through consensus were Mohammed A. Etudaiye for Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency and Lawal Idrisu for Ajaokuta Federal Constituency.

In Kogi West, Abdulkadir Ibrahim clinched the Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency ticket, while Femi Victor Olubiyi emerged for Kabba/Bunu Federal Constituency.

Ibigbemi Seun Samuel was returned unopposed for Yagba Federal Constituency.

In Kogi East, Abubakar Usman Yahaya secured the ticket for Ankpa/Olamaboro/Omala Federal Constituency, while former lawmaker Okolo Ikani Benjamin emerged for Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency through affirmation.

Former Idah Local Government Chairman Ukwenya Paul Ogwu also emerged unopposed as the PDP candidate for Idah Federal Constituency.

Speaking with Business Hallmark after his affirmation in Ogaminana, Hon. Badamasuiy said he was thankful to party members for the peaceful conduct of the exercise and pledged to use his legislative experience to attract development projects and provide quality representation to his constituency.