The All Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared Former Governor Yahaya Bello as its candidate for the Kogi Central Senatorial district in the coming 2027 elections.
Bello’s name was among the list of the party’s senatorial candidates released by the APC in Abuja on Monday.
However, the names of the party’s candidates for Kogi West and Kogi East were conspicuously missing on the list.
Those listed as candidates are those who emerged from the just concluded primaries across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the party, the list comprises candidates whose nominations have been concluded and ratified, while primaries in some senatorial districts remain pending, inconclusive or yet to be conducted.
In the South-East, former governor Orji Uzor Kalu secured the APC ticket for Abia North.
Other candidates include Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jr (Abia South) and Emeka Atuma (Abia Central).
In Anambra State, Nelson Onubuogu, Kene Chiedu Ngozi Benedicta and Chibuogu Oraelusi emerged for Anambra North, Central and South respectively.
The APC also cleared Osita Ngwu (Enugu West), Kelvin Chukwu (Enugu East) and Ikeje Asogwa (Enugu North) in Enugu State, while Imo State produced Alex Mbata (Imo East), Governor Hope Uzodimma (Imo West) and Patrick Ndubueze (Imo North).
In the North-East, Governor Umaru Fintiri emerged for Adamawa North, while Felix Tangwami clinched the ticket for Adamawa South.
Bauchi State produced Yakubu Abdullahi (Bauchi South) and Ibrahim Baba (Bauchi North).
In Borno State, APC candidates are Kaka Shehu (Borno Central), Ali Ndume (Borno South) and Tahir Monguno (Borno North).
Governor Inuwa Yahaya will contest for Gombe North, alongside Mohammed Ahmed (Gombe Central) and Jerry Damara (Gombe South).
Taraba State produced Manu Haruna (Taraba Central) and David Jimkuta (Taraba South).
In the North-West, APC candidates include Babangida Hussain (Jigawa North-West), Ahmed Malam Madori (Jigawa North-East) and Sani Garba (Jigawa South-West).
Kaduna State’s list features former Governor Ramalan Yero (Kaduna North), Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central) and Sunday Katung (Kaduna South).
Other notable candidates are Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau (Kano North), former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano Central), Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto Central) and Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara West).
In the South-South, Senate President Godswill Akpabio emerged for Akwa Ibom North-West, while Aniekan Bassey and Ekong Sampson secured tickets for Akwa Ibom North-East and South respectively.
Bayelsa APC nominated Fidelis Agbiki (Bayelsa West), Friday Kombowei Benson (Bayelsa Central) and Israel Sunny-Goli (Bayelsa East).
Cross River candidates include Jarigbe Jarigbe (North), Oden Ewa (Central) and Asuquo Ekpenyong (South).
In Delta State, Senator Ede Dafinone retained the ticket for Delta Central, while former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Joel-Onowakpo Thomas emerged for Delta North and Delta South respectively.
Rivers State candidates are Felix Obuah (West), Allwell Onyesoh (East) and Barry Mwara (South-East).
In the South-West, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele emerged for Ekiti Central, while Lagos APC picked Wasiu Eshinlokun (Central), Idiat Adebule (West) and Tokunbo Abiru (East).
Governor Dapo Abiodun secured the Ogun East ticket, with Jimoh Ojugbele and Shuaib Salisu emerging for Ogun West and Ogun Central respectively.
Ondo APC nominated Gbenga Elegbeleye (North), Taiwo Fasoranti (Central) and Isaacs Kekemeke (South), while Osun candidates are Francis Fadahunsi (East), Adekunle Adegoke (Central) and Akintunde Oyebiyi (West).
In the North-Central zone, APC candidates include Dave Padopads-Awunah (Benue North-West), Gabriel Suswam (Benue North-East) and Francis Agbo (Benue South) while Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq secured the Kwara Central ticket.
Governor Abdullahi Sule emerged for Nasarawa North, while Niger State candidates include Idris Kutigi, Sani Musa and Sani Bello.
Plateau APC nominated David Barji (Central), former Governor Simon Lalong (South) and Simon Mwadkwon (North).
In Edo State, Senator Adams Oshiomhole emerged for Edo North, alongside Joseph Ikpea (Edo Central) and Ogbeide-Ihama Omoregie (Edo South).
For the Federal Capital Territory, the party picked former Senate Minority Leader Philip Aduda as its senatorial candidate.
The APC noted that senatorial districts not captured in the current release are either awaiting primaries or have unresolved issues requiring further consultations.
The party attributed the delays to internal disputes, zoning arrangements, logistical challenges and postponements in some states.
Party officials said the list would be updated as outstanding primaries are concluded and ratified, ahead of the submission of candidates’ names to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) within the timetable for the 2027 general elections. (vitalnewsngr.com)
