Ex-Governor Yahaya Bello Boycotts APC Senatorial Screening Amid EFCC Trial On Alleged ₦80bn Fraud
Ex-Governor Yahaya Bello Boycotts APC Senatorial Screening Amid EFCC Trial On Alleged ₦80bn Fraud
Bello is currently facing prosecution by the EFCC over allegations bordering on an alleged ₦80 billion fraud, money laundering and criminal breach of trust.
Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, reportedly boycotted the screening exercise organised by the ruling All Progressives Congress for aspirants seeking the party’s senatorial ticket in Kogi Central, despite ongoing controversies surrounding his corruption trial before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Bello is currently facing prosecution by the EFCC over allegations bordering on an alleged ₦80 billion fraud, money laundering and criminal breach of trust.
A source familiar with the exercise and one of the senatorial contestants told SaharaReporters that the former governor failed to appear before the APC screening panel as required of all aspirants contesting for the ticket.
Meanwhile, youths from Kogi Central Senatorial District have raised concerns over Bello’s absence from the mandatory screening process, warning the APC leadership against granting preferential treatment to any aspirant.
This is contained in a statement on Monday, the youths said Bello’s absence had generated tension and questions among party members regarding compliance with the party’s internal rules and screening guidelines.
According to the group, while other aspirants subjected themselves to the screening process, Bello was allegedly seen in Lagos during the exercise.
The youths warned that issuing clearance to any aspirant who failed to personally appear before the screening panel could undermine the credibility of the party’s democratic process and create distrust among members.
They explained that the party must not allow waivers or special privileges for any individual.
They further stressed that fairness, transparency and equal treatment of all aspirants remained critical to maintaining confidence among party supporters across Kogi Central.
The group therefore called on the APC national leadership and the screening committee to ensure strict adherence to the party’s laid-down rules, insisting that justice and internal democracy must prevail in the selection process.
