The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and Senator Sunday Karimi are among the aspirants cleared by the All Progressives Congress screening committee to contest Monday’s senatorial primaries in the state.
The APC screening committee approved 17 aspirants across Kogi’s three senatorial districts ahead of the party primaries scheduled for Monday.
Bello, whose eligibility had sparked speculation in recent days, was officially cleared after his name appeared as number 13 on the list of approved aspirants for the Kogi Central Senatorial District race.
The former governor is expected to face Momoh Yusuf Obaro and Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke in the contest for the APC ticket in Kogi Central.
In Kogi West, incumbent Senator Karimi 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 frontrunner after the consensus arrangement.
For the Kogi East Senatorial District, seven aspirants were cleared to participate in the APC primary, 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 across federal constituencies.
Former lawmaker Abdulrahman Badamasuiy emerged as the PDP candidate for the Okehi/Adavi Federal Constituency. Badamasuiy previously represented the constituency between 2011 and 2015.
Mohammed A. Etudaiye also emerged as the party’s candidate for Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency, while Lawal Idrisu secured the ticket for Ajaokuta Federal Constituency.
In Kogi West, Abdulkadir Ibrahim clinched the Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency ticket, while Femi Victor Olubiyi emerged as the PDP candidate for Kabba/Bunu Federal Constituency.
Ibigbemi Seun Samuel was returned unopposed for Yagba Federal Constituency.
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 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 pledged to use his legislative experience to attract development projects and provide quality representation for his constituency.
“I sincerely appreciate party members for the peaceful manner in which the primary was conducted. I promise to deploy my experience as a former lawmaker to attract development projects when elected,” he said.
