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Kogi 2023: Akpoti’s Tribunal Victory Unsettles Bello, APC

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In a single day, two senators of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kogi State were sacked by the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Lokoja.

In Kogi Central, the senatorial district of Governor Yahaya Bello, the tribunal sacked Abubakar Ohere and ordered that Natasha Akpoti should be given a certificate of return.

Meanwhile, in Kogi East, the court sacked Jibrin Echocho and declared a rerun of the election.

Governor Yahaya Bello, following the verdict, said he is optimistic that the Court of Appeal will reverse the judgement because of the manner the Appeal Court ruled on the presidential election case.

“I want to assure you that even judging from the pronouncements yesterday at the Appeal Court (Presidential Election Petition Tribunal), we are going to have our 3/3 Senate in Kogi State, I can assure you,” Bello said.

Observers in the State believe that the verdict could have some impact on the governorship election slated for November because it shows that the APC is not as strong as many believed it to be.

In this analysis, DAILY POST reviews the impact of this decision on the 2023 governorship election in the State.

So far, the race is between Usman Ododo of APC (Kogi Central), Dino Melaye of PDP (Kogi West), Leke Abejide of ADC (Kogi West), Muri Ajaka of SDP (Kogi East).

“We have a four-horse race that could swing anywhere. No one can predict the outcome of the race,” Al-Had Sonibare, a member of the ADC told DAILY POST.

“We know that during the last election, intimidation was deployed by the ruling party, and the tribunal is exposing that. BVAS is exposing all of them,” he added.

Akpoti vs Bello in Kogi Central

In Kogi Central, Governor Bello has been in a protracted fight with the Ohinoyi of Ebira Land, Ado Ibrahim. It would be recalled that Bello once threatened to discipline the monarch for insubordination.

During the last general election, the APC showed significant vulnerability in Kogi Central, particularly in the race between Akpoti and Ohere. The tribunal judgement appears to have validated what many had long suspected that Akpoti was rigged out. It would be recalled that some women protested the outcome of the race.

Usman is expected to retain the zone because of the tribal division in the State. The Ebira people in the zone are expected to side with their own.

“Ododo’s survival depends on his ability to retain the entire Kogi Central; the Igala people will vote Muri (Ajaka), while the Okun people will vote Dino or Abejide,” Moses Obatoyinbo, a voter in Egbe, told this reporter.

However, Natasha Akpoti appears to be gaining ground in Kogi Central zone, and with the tribunal judgement, many believe that there is more incentive for her supporters to oppose Bello.

Turbulence in Kogi East

Governor Bello’s decision to pick Usman Ododo from the Central Senatorial District is causing some disquiet in Kogi State, particularly in Kogi East, the zone with the largest voting bloc.

Many in the State had expected Bello to support zoning of the governorship seat after his 8 years.

But in a surprise move, he shunned all candidates from other zones, including his deputy, Edward Onoja and Smart Adeyemi who are from the East and the West, respectively.

To appeal to Kogi East, Bello nominated Abubakar Audu, the son of former Governor Abubakar Audu, as Minister. The junior Audu had shown interest in the race for the APC ticket but dropped out after Bello endorsed Ododo.

In the last couple of weeks, Muri Ajaka, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), appears to be getting the approval of the stakeholders in Kogi East.

Last month, the Igala Elders Forum (IEF) endorsed Mr Muri for the governorship position. It would be recalled that he decamped from APC following the primary election.

“Kogi East currently has one strong candidate, and the way Yahaya treated Onoja means that there are few of his lieutenants that would work to deliver in the zone,” an APC member told DAILY POST.

Divided votes in Kogi West

Kogi West is going to be a battleground in the election. The zone can be divided into three- the Okun side, Lokoja and Koton-Karfe.

Abejide, the member representing Yagba Federal Constituency, and his party, ADC are strong in Okun side. In the last election, the party won two Reps seats in the zone. Dino Melaye is also from the side.

Insiders in the camp of Abejide told this paper that the lawmaker is counting on Faleke and other members of the APC to back him during the election and repay him for supporting President Bola Tinubu during the presidential election.

However, APC will be counting on its support base in Koton-Karfe and expects Senator Sunday Karimi, who represents Kogi West to deliver the votes. While Dino fancies himself taking Lokoja, the only place none of the ethnic groups can claim.

Fighting in APC

Before the judgement, Governor Bello had been fighting with some elements over the control of the party. Last month, he led a protest at the National Secretariat of the party over the nomination of Duro Meseko as the APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary.

DAILY POST learnt that Governor Bello wanted Yahaya Ismail but the party accepted Meseko, who is from the camp of James Faleke.

The APC in Kogi State appears to be divided into camps of the Governor and Faleke. Observers say this may affect the outcome of the polls.

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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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