Yahaya Bello Clinches APC Senatorial Ticket Amid Ongoing EFCC Trial

Former Yahaya Bello has emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress senatorial primary election for Kogi Central Senatorial District, securing a landslide victory despite his ongoing legal battle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The former Kogi State governor was declared winner of the primary on Monday after polling 72,349 votes across the five local government areas in the district.

Announcing the result, the Returning Officer, Dr. Sadiq Mohammed, said Bello defeated his closest rivals, Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke, who scored 315 votes, and Momoh Yusuf Obaro, who secured 188 votes.

According to the breakdown released at the end of the exercise, Bello recorded 18,341 votes in Adavi, 10,298 in Ajaokuta, 5,146 in Ogori/Magongo, 8,943 in Okehi, and 29,621 votes in Okene Local Government Area.

The outcome has generated widespread political reactions due to Bello’s ongoing corruption case before the courts. The EFCC had earlier filed fraud-related charges against the former governor, allegations he has consistently denied.

Despite the controversy surrounding the case, party delegates overwhelmingly backed his candidacy, positioning him as the APC flagbearer for the Kogi Central senatorial seat ahead of the general election.

Political observers say the development underscores Bello’s continued influence within the APC structure in Kogi State, especially in the Kogi Central axis where he maintains strong grassroots support.

The APC is yet to issue an official statement on reactions trailing the primary outcome.