The All Progressives Congress (APC) has endorsed former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and several other high-profile figures, including serving governors, as consensus candidates for senatorial seats ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Bello, who served two terms as Kogi governor before handing over to his successor, Usman Ododo, recently picked up the APC nomination and expression of interest forms for the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
He has emerged as the party's preferred candidate for the seat, which is currently held by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
This development is part of a broader trend where APC governors and ex-governors are leveraging party structures and consensus arrangements to secure senatorial tickets, often displacing incumbent senators.
President Bola Tinubu has reportedly empowered state governors to lead candidate selection processes in their domains, either through consensus or direct primaries.
Similar moves have been recorded in several states. For instance, governors completing their tenures are positioning themselves or their allies for Senate seats in places like Yobe, Gombe, Imo, and others.
In many cases, incumbent senators have been persuaded or pressured to step aside in favour of these "consensus" candidates.
Bello's bid is seen by supporters as a continuation of his influence in Kogi politics. A coalition of women from Kogi Central had earlier purchased the forms on his behalf, describing it as a reward for his service.
The APC's clearance of these candidates signals a strategic push to maintain strong control in the National Assembly, with many governors eyeing the Senate as a platform for continued relevance after their gubernatorial terms end in 2027.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com