By Muslimat Itopa
Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has emerged as the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election for Kogi Central Senatorial District after polling an overwhelming 72,399 votes in the exercise conducted in Okene, Kogi State.
The primary election, which drew party faithful and political stakeholders from across the district, ended in a decisive victory for Bello, further cementing his influence within the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Announcing the results at the APC Secretariat in Okene, the Collation Officer for the exercise, Sadiq Muhammed, declared Bello winner after defeating his closest rivals by a wide margin. According to the official results, Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke secured 319 votes, while Momoh Yusuf Obaro polled 198 votes.
“I hereby pronounce His Excellency, Yahaya Bello, as the winner of this primary election, having scored 72,399 votes,” Muhammed stated.
He added that the primary was conducted in a peaceful, free, fair, and transparent manner in line with the guidelines and directives of the APC leadership.
In his acceptance speech, Alhaji Yahaya Bello expressed gratitude to APC members and supporters for what he described as another opportunity to serve the people.
“I appreciate all of you for giving me the opportunity to serve you in the past as governor and now calling me again to serve as the flag bearer of our great party, the APC,” he said.
The former governor stressed the need for unity within the party, urging aspirants who lost in the contest to work together for the success of the APC in future elections.
“This contest is over. APC remains one family. Those who contested and could not make it still have important roles to play in strengthening the party and serving the people,” he stated.
Bello also praised the leadership of Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, commending him for sustaining the party’s structure and governance in the state.
A significant portion of Bello’s speech focused on his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he described as a visionary and experienced leader capable of steering Nigeria toward development and stability.
According to Bello, the administration of President Tinubu has laid a strong foundation for national progress, adding that APC stakeholders in Kogi State remain committed to supporting the President’s policies and re-election bid.
“We are going to mobilise massively for Mr. President because we believe in his leadership and what he has done for Nigeria,” Bello declared.
The former governor also appealed to party leaders at both state and national levels to sustain internal unity and inclusiveness within the APC.
He praised the National Working Committee of the party for organising what he described as credible primary elections nationwide and thanked party officials, supporters, and stakeholders for their continued loyalty.
Bello also reiterated his commitment to carrying everyone along in the next phase of the political process.
“You are free to contest. Democracy gives everyone that opportunity. Now is the time for all of us to come together and move the party forward,” he said.
With the primary now concluded, Bello is expected to fly the APC flag for the Kogi Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 National Assembly election, setting the stage for what political analysts predict could become one of the most closely watched senatorial contests in the North Central region.
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