Kogi APC Crisis: Women’s Forum Alleges Yahaya Bello Romancing Northern ADC Aspirants to Advance Senate Presidency Ambition

The APC Women Inclusive Forum has alleged that former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello is reaching out to Northern ADC aspirants as part of a broader political strategy linked to his alleged Senate presidency ambition, amid growing controversy over APC primary elections in Kogi State.

Kogi APC Crisis Deepens as Women’s Forum Alleges Yahaya Bello Romancing Northern ADC Aspirants Over Senate Ambition

Fresh controversy has emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State as the APC Women Inclusive Forum alleged that former Governor Yahaya Bello is engaging with prospective African Democratic Congress (ADC) aspirants in Northern Nigeria as part of a broader political strategy tied to an alleged ambition to become Senate President.

The group made the allegation in a statement issued on Friday, claiming that the lingering disputes surrounding the party’s National Assembly primaries in Kogi State are connected to what it described as a calculated political agenda aimed at securing Bello’s future position in the National Assembly.

In the statement signed by its spokesperson, Oyiza Joy Simon, the forum alleged that the former governor, who recently participated in the APC presidential nomination process, has redirected his political focus toward the Senate.

According to the group, Bello’s alleged objective is to position himself for a future Senate Presidency bid, a move it claimed has contributed to growing tensions within the APC in Kogi State.

The forum further alleged that part of the strategy involves preventing the return of some incumbent federal lawmakers, particularly serving senators from Kogi East and Kogi West, whom it described as experienced legislators with established influence within the National Assembly.

“The facts are becoming clearer by the day. What we are witnessing is not a struggle for party growth but a calculated attempt to advance a personal political ambition,” the statement said.

The group argued that experienced lawmakers with strong legislative records and grassroots support could pose challenges to any future leadership ambition within the Senate due to the National Assembly’s tradition of recognizing ranking members for principal leadership positions.

According to the forum, this explains what it described as efforts to reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.

The statement also alleged that Bello has been reaching out to prospective ADC aspirants from the northern part of the country as part of a wider political realignment strategy intended to strengthen future alliances.

“His desperation has allegedly extended beyond the APC, with reported efforts to establish relationships with likely ADC aspirants in Northern Nigeria as part of contingency political calculations,” the forum claimed.

The women’s group further accused the former governor of planning a coordinated media campaign against some prominent National Assembly members from Kogi State, alleging that certain lawmakers are being viewed as obstacles because of their perceived loyalty to the current Senate leadership.

According to the forum, such actions could deepen divisions within the APC and weaken the party’s electoral prospects ahead of future elections.

The group warned that sidelining serving lawmakers with substantial political structures and grassroots acceptance could generate avoidable discontent among party supporters and stakeholders.

It consequently called on the APC National Working Committee, the party leadership, and relevant stakeholders to closely monitor developments and ensure that internal party processes remain transparent, inclusive, and democratic.

The forum maintained that preserving party unity should take precedence over individual political ambitions, stressing that the APC’s electoral success in Kogi State has largely depended on the collective efforts of its members at all levels.

It further argued that experienced legislators who have consistently supported President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda should not be sacrificed in pursuit of personal political calculations.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Yahaya Bello nor his media team had publicly responded to the allegations.

The latest claims have added another dimension to the growing debate surrounding APC primary elections in Kogi State, with political observers closely watching how the party navigates the emerging tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.