Kogi Protesters Storm APC Secretariat, Reject Yahaya Bello’s Senate Primary Bid

Hundreds of protesters from Kogi Central on Wednesday stormed the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, rejecting the participation of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, in the party’s senatorial primaries for Kogi Central ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The demonstrators, who carried placards and chanted anti-Bello slogans, accused the former governor of violating internal party procedures and undermining due process within the APC.

They called on the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to block Bello from emerging as the APC senatorial candidate, insisting that his participation in the primaries was unacceptable.

Speaking on behalf of the group, spokesperson Musa Adabara said the protest was driven by concerns over what he described as impunity and disregard for party rules.

“We are here as concerned citizens of Kogi Central and loyal members of the APC to reject criminality, impunity and disregard for due process within our great party,” he said.

Adabara alleged that Bello did not participate in the party’s senatorial screening exercise, claiming he travelled to Lagos instead of appearing before the screening panel.

He further alleged that the former governor only returned after the exercise had concluded.

“It has been established that he avoided the screening because of fear of the EFCC, ICPC and other security agencies over corruption and criminal allegations linked to him,” he said.

The protesters urged the APC leadership to enforce its constitution strictly and ensure fairness in the selection process for candidates ahead of the next election cycle.

They also warned that allowing Bello to proceed could damage the party’s public image and electoral prospects.

“Yahaya Bello is widely known for disrespecting the principles of the APC and its constitution. Opposition parties and members of the public are already jubilating over the possible collapse of the party if it eventually fields people with criminal allegations as candidates,” Adabara added.

The group further cautioned that internal crises and controversial candidacies could undermine the APC’s stability and voter confidence if not properly managed ahead of 2027.