The Digest:
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has obtained the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial nomination forms for the Kogi Central election, positioning himself as the party's likely candidate against incumbent Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The forms, valued at about N20 million, were received from backers, including women's groups. The move revives attention on his ongoing EFCC money laundering trial over alleged N80.2 billion diversion, adjourned to May 6 and 7. Bello is out on bail and denies the charges. INEC rules allow candidates with pending cases to run until conviction.
Key Points:
- Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan faces a strong challenge from her predecessor as Kogi Central governor.
- Voters in the Ebira-dominated district will decide between an incumbent and a former governor.
- Bello's ongoing EFCC trial could become a central campaign issue.
- INEC's rules permit candidates with pending cases to contest until conviction.
- The APC gains a high-profile candidate for a key senatorial seat.
Watch how Bello's EFCC trial progresses and whether the APC primary produces a direct contest between him and other aspirants.
Sources: Vanguard
