Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and Senator Sunday Karimi are among aspirants cleared by the National Assembly screening committee to participate in the APC senatorial primaries scheduled for Monday in Kogi State.
The screening committee approved 17 aspirants across the state’s three senatorial districts ahead of the exercise.
Bello, whose qualification for the race had generated speculation in recent days, was eventually cleared after his name appeared as number 13 on the list of successful aspirants for the Kogi Central Senatorial District contest.
The former governor will compete against Momoh Yusuf Obaro and Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke for the party’s ticket in the district.
In Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Karimi emerged as the consensus aspirant following a stakeholders’ meeting presided over by Governor Usman Ododo at the Government House in Lokoja.
Although the screening committee also cleared six other aspirants, including former Senator Smart Adeyemi and Aro Bamidele, observers believe the consensus arrangement has strengthened Karimi’s position ahead of the primary.
For Kogi East Senatorial District, seven aspirants received clearance to contest the APC primary, among them Senator Isah Echocho, Joseph Ameh and Murtala Ajaka.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party adopted consensus arrangements to produce several House of Representatives candidates across federal constituencies in Kogi State.
Former lawmaker Abdulrahman Badamasuiy emerged as the PDP candidate for Okehi/Adavi Federal Constituency. He previously represented the constituency between 2011 and 2015.
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Mohammed A. Etudaiye also secured the party’s ticket for Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency, while Lawal Idrisu emerged for Ajaokuta Federal Constituency through consensus.
In Kogi West, Abdulkadir Ibrahim clinched the PDP ticket for Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency, while Femi Victor Olubiyi emerged for Kabba/Bunu Federal Constituency.
Ibigbemi Seun Samuel was returned unopposed for Yagba Federal Constituency.
For Kogi East, Abubakar Yahaya secured the party’s ticket for Ankpa/Olamaboro/Omala Federal Constituency, while former lawmaker Okolo Ikani Benjamin emerged through affirmation for Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency.
Former Idah Local Government Chairman Ukwenya Paul Ogwu also emerged unopposed as the PDP candidate for Idah Federal Constituency.
Reacting after his affirmation in Ogaminana, Badamasuiy commended party members for the peaceful conduct of the process and promised effective representation if elected.
“I want to sincerely appreciate party members for the peaceful manner in which the primary was conducted.
I promise to deploy my wealth of experience as a former lawmaker to attract development projects when I get elected,” he said.