Ex-governor Yahaya Bello officially cleared for APC Senate contest in Kogi

Former governor of Kogi, Alhaji Yahaya Bello is among the aspirants cleared by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest the party’s senatorial primaries in the state.

The APC screening committee approved 17 senatorial aspirants across the three senatorial districts ahead of the primaries scheduled for Monday.

Bello, whose eligibility had been the subject of speculation in recent days, was listed among the cleared aspirants for the Kogi central senatorial district race.

The former governor is expected to contest the APC ticket alongside Momoh Yusuf Obaro and Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke.

In Kogi west, current Senator, Sunday Karimi emerged as the consensus candidate after a stakeholders’ meeting chaired by Usman Ododo at the government house in Lokoja.

Although six other aspirants, including ex-Senator Smart Adeyemi and Aro 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. The cleared aspirants include current Senator Isah Echocho, Joseph Ameh and Murtala Ajaka.