2027: APC Might Lose Kogi — Group Warns.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
December 24, 2025.
A pressure group within the All Progressives Congress (APC), operating under the banner of the Kogi APC Renaissance Forum, has issued a stern warning that the ruling party risks severe electoral setbacks in Kogi State ahead of the 2027 general elections if former Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello is imposed as the party’s candidate for the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
According to the group, such a move could not only cost the APC the senatorial seat but also endanger its chances in the Kogi State governorship election and weaken its overall performance in the 2027 presidential race.
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The warning comes on the heels of the recent inauguration of a committee for the Osun State governorship primary election, during which Yahaya Bello was announced as one of the committee members by the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yiltwatda. A statement from the inauguration, which circulated widely across political circles, confirmed the former governor’s inclusion among party leaders entrusted with overseeing a transparent and credible primary process.
However, the Kogi APC Renaissance Forum has described the appointment as deeply troubling. In a statement signed by its spokesman, Adejo Emmanuel, the group labeled Bello’s inclusion as “embarrassing and damaging” to the image of the APC, especially at a time when the party is publicly projecting itself as committed to transparency, accountability, and internal democracy.
The forum expressed dismay that, despite the availability of numerous credible and untainted party members, the national leadership chose to elevate a former governor who is currently standing trial on allegations of large-scale financial impropriety.
According to the statement, Yahaya Bello is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged diversion and misappropriation of ₦80.2 billion, in addition to a separate ₦110 billion, 16-count fraud charge pending before the Federal High Court and the FCT High Court respectively.
“It is unacceptable that a man being prosecuted for alleged financial misdeeds should be entrusted with such a sensitive and noble assignment,” the forum declared.
The group further argued that the decision undermines the anti-corruption posture of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the current administration has intensified asset recovery efforts through the EFCC, reclaiming billions of naira as part of its strategy to stabilize the economy and rebuild public confidence in governance.
According to the forum, promoting Yahaya Bello within the party hierarchy—or presenting him as a candidate in 2027—would expose the APC to relentless attacks from opposition parties and alienate critical voting blocs, particularly young voters and undecided electorates in Kogi State.
“This appointment paints the APC in a very bad light before Nigerians and creates the false impression that the ruling party fraternizes with individuals facing serious criminal trials,” the statement added.
The group warned that any attempt to impose Bello as the APC candidate for Kogi Central would likely trigger voter apathy, internal protest, and protest voting, almost certainly leading to the loss of the senatorial seat. It added that such an outcome would have a domino effect, weakening the party’s structure ahead of the governorship election and significantly reducing its ability to mobilize support for the APC presidential candidate in 2027.
The forum also questioned Bello’s political relevance at the grassroots, insisting that he lacks the acceptance and electoral capacity needed to deliver victories for the party.
“He has little or no capacity to deliver even his own polling unit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027,” the statement asserted.
The Kogi APC Renaissance Forum therefore urged the APC national leadership—particularly the National Chairman—to urgently reconsider the appointment and steer clear of actions capable of damaging the party’s credibility, unity, and electoral fortunes.
The group concluded by stressing that the future of the APC in Kogi State rests on credible leadership, internal democracy, and the emergence of candidates with clean records and broad-based acceptance among the electorate.
(Democracy Newsline Newspaper, December 24TH 2025)
