APC clears Yahaya Bello, others for senate primaries

The APC screening panels has approved 17 aspirants across the three senatorial districts in Kogi State for the upcoming primaries. Among those cleared is Yahaya Bello, who will contest the Kogi Central senatorial ticket after his name appeared on the list of approved aspirants.

He is expected to compete with Momoh Yusuf Obaro and Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke for the party’s ticket in that district.

In Kogi West, the situation is different as incumbent Senator Sunday Karimi emerged as the preferred candidate following a consensus arrangement reached during a meeting led by Governor Usman Ododo at the Government House in Lokoja. Even though other aspirants such as former Senator Smart Adeyemi and Aro Bamidele were cleared, the agreement within the party structure placed Karimi ahead.

For Kogi East, seven aspirants were cleared to participate in the primaries. These include Senator Isah Echocho, Joseph Ameh, and Murtala Ajaka, all preparing to compete for the party ticket in the district.

The exercise also affected the opposition side, as the Peoples Democratic Party selected its House of Representatives candidates in several constituencies in Kogi State through consensus processes.

Former lawmaker Abdulrahman Badamasuiy emerged for Okehi/Adavi, while other candidates were chosen across Lokoja/Kogi, Kabba/Bunu, Yagba, Ankpa/Olamaboro/Omala, Dekina/Bassa, and Idah federal constituencies without internal voting contests.