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Kogi 2023: PDP, ADC Move To Stop Yahaya Bello’s 16 Years Ebira Rule

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With the 2023 general elections over, attention has now shifted to Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States for the off-season governorship elections.

In Kogi State, over ten members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, lined up to succeed incumbent Governor Yayaha Bello who is completing his second tenure in office.

However, on Thursday, Governor Bello endorsed the state Auditor General, Usman Ododo as his preferred candidate.

DAILY POST reported that the Chairman of the election committee, Governor Mohammed Bello-Matawale confirmed that a “gentlemanly agreement” was reached.

Consequently, Deputy Governor Edward Onoja, ex-Finance Commissioner David Adebanji-Jimoh, Ashiru Idris, Okala Yakubu, Abdulkareem Asuku (Chief of Staff) and Accountant-General Momoh Jibrin withdrew from the race.

Bello’s endorsement of Ododo, who is from the same Kogi Central and of the Ebira ethnic group, confirmed the suspicion many had that the governor was planning 16/16.

At the conclusion of the primary election, Ododo emerged as the APC flagbearer.

Ododo polled a total of 78,704 votes to defeat six other contestants in the governorship race.

He defeated the distant runner-up, Barr. Mohammed Ozigi Salami, who got 1,506 votes, while the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Smart Adeyemi, polled the least number of votes – 311.

Background on Kogi guber seat

The state has three major ethnic groups— Igala in Kogi East, Ebira in Kogi Central and Okun in Kogi West.

Kogi East has nine local government areas: Idah, Ibaji, Igalamela/Odolu, Ofu, Dekina, Ankpa, Olamaboro, Bassa and Omala local governments. While Kogi central has Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okehi, Okene, and Ogori-Magongo.

Kogi west has seven local government areas- Kaba Bunu, Kogi/Koto Karfe, Mopa Muro, Ijumu, Yagba East, Yagba West and Lokoja. However, Kogi/Koto Karfe and Lokoja are dominated by minority groups.

From 1999 to 2015, Kogi East produced all the governors— Abubakar Audu, Idris Ibrahim and Idris Wada. In 2015, Yahaya Bello emerged after the death of Audu.

There have been speculations that Governor Bello plans to ensure that an Ebira man succeeds him so that his zone can complete 16 years of uninterrupted stay in power.

Move to use ADC

Many expected James Faleke, the running mate to Abubakar Audu, to join the race as a group even reportedly bought the N50 million nomination form for him; however, he did not show up during the screening exercise.

Insiders within the APC told DAILY POST that the president-elect, Bola Tinubu asked Faleke not to join the race in order to reward Bello for his role in the presidential election. Faleke’s ambition could put Tinubu and Bello at loggerheads.

Faleke continues to call for the zoning of the position to Kogi West.

“Kogi Central by the end of the tenure of Yahaya Adoza Bello would have been in the saddle for 8 years, uninterrupted. While not discounting the right of those concerned to contest for any office, I believe that the time has come to be just and fair to all,” he had said.

However, Bello’s endorsement of Ododo has foreclosed any argument on Kogi West.

DAILY POST learnt there are moves in Kogi West to push a member of the House of Representatives in Kogi West, Leke Abejide as a third force to stop Bello’s plan.

Although Dino Melaye is also from Kogi West, Abejide appeals to many in the zone for several reasons. In 2019, he won the House seat under ADC. Again in 2023, he won re-election and even sponsored another ADC candidate in Ijumu/Kabba/Bunu Federal Constituency.

“BVAS has changed the electoral game in Nigeria. Look at Alex Otti in Abia— Abejide is already battle-tested, twice. In 2019, at the peak of Yahaya Bello’s influence, he won his Reps election. And in 2023, it is no secret that he not only won re-election but ensured the spread of ADC,” Leadi Abdulahi, a supporter of Mr Abejide told DAILY POST.

However, there are others within the state that believe that it is only an Igala candidate that can wrestle power from APC and Bello.

With nine local government areas, the zone has a strong voting block.

But Melaye seems to have the support of Atiku Abubakar and the national body of the party ahead of Sunday’s primary.

In the coming days, the alignment in the state may be away from party loyalty to ethnic loyalty.

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ADC’s Aisha Yesufu Issues Public Apology For Listing Yemi Adamolekun Without Consent

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Prominent activist and African Democratic Congress (ADC) member Aisha Yesufu has issued a public apology to governance advocate Yemi Adamolekun following a controversy over her inclusion in the party’s Wise Men and Women Policy and Manifesto Committee.

The issue emerged on Wednesday after Adamolekun, former executive director of Enough is Enough Nigeria, expressed surprise on social media at seeing her name listed among members of the ADC committee.

Tagging Yesufu and ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, Adamolekun questioned the party’s process in a blunt post on X.

“ADC! ADC! ADC! How many times did I call you? This is not how to build credibility o! Please show me evidence of when I joined your party! Na wa….” she wrote.

Responding the same day, Abdullahi said the committee was designed to be expert-driven rather than strictly partisan.

“It is important to point out that not everyone on the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee is a member of the ADC. Many are not even politicians,” he said.

He added, “This is because the ADC believes that the task of developing workable public policies for the benefit of all Nigerians should not be left to politicians alone.”

Abdullahi maintained that the party had followed due process.

He said the ADC had undergone a “vetting process” and “took all necessary measures to ensure that everyone recommended to serve on this important committee was duly notified and had given their consent.”

Despite the disagreement, he expressed hope that Adamolekun would still participate, citing her “vast experience – even though she is not a member of our party.”

However, reacting on Friday, Yesufu, a member of the party’s Revalidation, Mobilisation and Registration Committee, acknowledged the error and apologised publicly.

She wrote, “This is inexcusable, and on behalf of my party, accept my apologies for this mix-up. We do not take you and your need to have a better Nigeria for granted.”

Yesufu admitted the process was flawed.

“Like you rightly pointed out, you ought to have been informed and your consent gotten before your name is published.

“This is well noted, and going forward we will continue to ensure due diligence,” she said.

She added, “Thank you for calling our attention to this. We can only get better when we get such feedback and improve accordingly.

“The work to rebuilding Nigeria is enormous, and in our eagerness to start off, we must never forget due process and diligence.”

Yesufu also extended an apology to others affected by the publication.

“For anyone that was also not contacted and consent gotten before publication, kindly accept my apologies for the mix-up,” she said.

 

 

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Atiku’s Son Gives Thumbs Up To Tinubu’s Economic Policies, Backs Another Term

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Abba Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has attributed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid to what he described as the administration’s innovative and business-friendly economic policies.

He said President Tinubu’s economic initiatives are more favourable to businesses than those of previous administrations, adding that the reforms have reshaped his political alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Abba made the remarks during a solidarity visit to the leadership of the City Boy Movement (CBM) in Abuja on Monday evening, where he led members of the Haske Atiku Organisation, now rebranded as the Haske Tinubu Organisation.

He recalled that he formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on January 15, collecting his membership card at Gwadabwa Ward in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State, where he publicly pledged support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

According to him, his decision to back the president was driven by admiration for the economic policies introduced since 2023, which he believes are positioning the country for stronger private-sector growth and investment.

According to him, “This administration has introduced policies that have every Nigerian in mind. If anyone says this government is not doing well, I will tell them they are lying,” he said. “I believe that if given another term, the government will do even more because it is focused.”

He explained that his long-standing experience in business has given him a clear perspective on economic governance in Nigeria.

“Since the return of democratic rule in 1999, I have been in business, and I am still in business today. The economic policies of Mr. President are favourable—not just to businesses, but to Nigerians in general, who are already benefiting from these reforms,” he stated.

He also explained that his decision to join the APC and align with the City Boy Movement was motivated by his passion for the Tinubu-led administration and his desire to serve.

“My joining the APC and the City Boy Movement is based on my belief in this administration. I also intend to use this platform to serve the people of Adamawa at the National Assembly level. Mr. President has made youth inclusion in politics a reality,” Abubakar added.

The Director General of the City Boy Movement, Mr. Oluwatosin Shoga reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to youth participation in governance and leadership.

He noted that one of CBM’s core strategic mandates is to ensure that young Nigerians are deliberately positioned for leadership roles while encouraging greater youth involvement in the political process.

Abba’s delegation was received by the Director General of CBM, Mr. Shoga, and the National Coordinator, Mr. Favour Abayomi.

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Oriyomi Hamzat Formally Joins 2027 Oyo Governorship Race Under Accord Party

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Popular Ibadan-based broadcaster and founder of Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat has officially declared his intention to run for the 2027 Oyo State governorship under the Accord Party.

 

In a public declaration, Hamzat stated, “I am publicly declaring today that in 2027.

 

“I will not campaign for anyone or mobilise crowds for anyone.

 

“I will contest in the gubernatorial election under the Accord Party.”

 

The announcement signals Hamzat’s full commitment to his own political ambitions, stepping away from backing other candidates as he positions himself for the Oyo State governorship race.

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