Yahaya Bello, Senator Karimi Cleared for APC Senatorial Primaries in Kogi

• Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and Senator Sunday Karimi are among 17 aspirants cleared by the APC screening committee to participate in the party’s senatorial primaries scheduled for Monday in Kogi State.

The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, have been cleared by the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening committee to contest in the party’s senatorial primaries scheduled for Monday in Kogi State.

The APC screening committee approved a total of 17 senatorial aspirants across the state’s three senatorial districts ahead of the primary election.

Yahaya Bello, whose eligibility had generated speculation in recent days, was officially confirmed after 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 compete against Momoh Yusuf Obaro and Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke for the APC ticket in Kogi Central.

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

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

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

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

Former lawmaker Abdulrahman Badamasuiy emerged as the PDP candidate for Okehi/Adavi Federal Constituency.

Badamasuiy previously represented the constituency in the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015.

Other PDP candidates who emerged through consensus include Mohammed A. Etudaiye for Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency and Lawal Idrisu for Ajaokuta Federal Constituency.

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

Ibigbemi Seun Samuel was returned unopposed for Yagba Federal Constituency.

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

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

Speaking after his affirmation in Ogaminana, Badamasuiy thanked party members for the peaceful conduct of the exercise and promised to use his legislative experience to attract development projects to the constituency.

“I want to sincerely appreciate party members for the peaceful manner in which the primary was conducted. I promise to deploy my wealth of experience as a former lawmaker to attract development projects when I get elected,” he said.