The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially cleared former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, alongside several other aspirants to contest in the party’s senatorial primaries scheduled for Monday in Kogi State.
A total of 17 senatorial aspirants across the state’s three senatorial districts were approved by the National Assembly screening committee ahead of the crucial exercise.
Yahaya Bello, whose participation had sparked widespread political speculation in recent days, was confirmed eligible after his name appeared among the cleared contenders for the Kogi Central Senatorial District ticket.
The former governor is expected to face Momoh Yusuf Obaro and Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke in the battle for the APC senatorial ticket in Kogi Central.
In Kogi West, incumbent Senator Sunday Karimi emerged as the leading contender following a consensus arrangement reached during a stakeholders’ meeting presided over by Governor Usman Ododo at the Government House in Lokoja.
Although six other aspirants, including former Senator Smart Adeyemi and Aro Bamidele, also scaled through the screening process, political analysts believe Karimi holds a strong advantage after the endorsement by party stakeholders.
For the Kogi East Senatorial District, seven aspirants were cleared to participate in the APC primary, including serving Senator Isah Echocho, Joseph Ameh, and Murtala Ajaka.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also concluded its House of Representatives candidate selection process in Kogi State through consensus arrangements across multiple federal constituencies.
Former federal lawmaker Abdulrahman Badamasuiy secured the PDP ticket for the Okehi/Adavi Federal Constituency after emerging through consensus. Badamasuiy previously represented the constituency between 2011 and 2015.
Mohammed A. Etudaiye also emerged as the PDP candidate for Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency, while Lawal Idrisu secured the ticket for Ajaokuta Federal Constituency.
In Kogi West, Abdulkadir Ibrahim clinched the Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency ticket, while Femi Victor Olubiyi emerged as the party’s candidate for Kabba/Bunu Federal Constituency.
Ibigbemi Seun Samuel was returned unopposed for the Yagba Federal Constituency seat.
For Kogi East, Abubakar Yahaya secured the PDP ticket for Ankpa/Olamaboro/Omala Federal Constituency, while former lawmaker Okolo Ikani Benjamin emerged through affirmation for Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency.
Former Chairman of Idah Local Government Area, Ukwenya Paul Ogwu, also emerged unopposed as the PDP candidate for Idah Federal Constituency.
Speaking after his emergence in Ogaminana, Abdulrahman Badamasuiy expressed appreciation to party members for the peaceful conduct of the primary and promised to use his experience to deliver quality representation and attract development projects to his constituency if elected.
“I sincerely thank party members for ensuring a peaceful process. I am committed to using my legislative experience to bring meaningful development to the constituency,” he stated.