The All Progressives Congress has cleared former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, and 16 other aspirants to participate in the party’s senatorial primaries scheduled for Monday in Kogi State.
The party’s National Assembly screening committee approved aspirants across the three senatorial districts in the state ahead of the exercise.
Bello, whose eligibility had generated speculation in recent days, was officially confirmed after his name appeared among cleared aspirants for the Kogi Central Senatorial District contest.
The former governor is expected to battle Momoh Yusuf Obaro and Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke for the party’s ticket in the district.
In Kogi West Senatorial District, incumbent lawmaker Sunday Karimi emerged as the consensus candidate following a stakeholders’ meeting reportedly chaired by Governor Usman Ododo at the Government House in Lokoja.
Although other aspirants, including former Senator Smart Adeyemi and Aro Bamidele, were also cleared for the primary, political observers believe the consensus arrangement may strengthen Karimi’s position ahead of the contest.
For Kogi East Senatorial District, seven aspirants were approved by the screening committee, including incumbent Senator Isah Echocho, Joseph Ameh and Murtala Ajaka.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party has produced several House of Representatives candidates in the state through consensus arrangements.
Among those who emerged were former lawmaker Abdulrahman Badamasuiy for Okehi/Adavi Federal Constituency, Mohammed A. Etudaiye for Okene/Ogori-Magongo, and Lawal Idrisu for Ajaokuta Federal Constituency.
Others include Abdulkadir Ibrahim for Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency, Femi Victor Olubiyi for Kabba/Bunu, and Ibigbemi Seun Samuel for Yagba Federal Constituency, where he reportedly emerged unopposed.
In Kogi East, Abubakar Yahaya secured the 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 affirmation in Ogaminana, Badamasuiy thanked party members for the peaceful conduct of the process and pledged to utilise his legislative experience to attract development projects to his constituency if elected.
