APC clears Yahaya Bello, others for Senate tickets

Ebun Emmanuel –May 17,2026

The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, and Senator Sunday Karimi, who represents Kogi West, are among aspirants cleared by the APC National Assembly screening committee to contest the primary scheduled for Monday in Kogi State.

The APC screening committee approved 17 senatorial aspirants across the state’s three senatorial districts for the primaries scheduled for Monday.

Bello, whose eligibility had been the subject of 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 battle Momoh Yusuf Obaro and Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke for the party’s ticket in Kogi Central Senatorial District.

In Kogi West, incumbent Senator Sunday Karimi emerged as the consensus candidate after 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 frontrunner following the consensus arrangement.

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