By Thompson Yamput
Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Former Governor of Kogi on emerged victorious in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election held across Kogi Central Senatorial District.
Bello, in the official results announced by the party at the conclusion of the primary election polled a total of 72,399 votes to secure a landslide victory against other contestants.
Similarly, incumbent lawmaker, Sunday Karimi, won the ticket for Kogi West Senatorial District, while a security expert, Mr Joe Erico, secured the Kogi East Senatorial District ticket of tge APC.
The former governor beat his closest challengers, Ibrahim Yakubu-Adoke and Momoh Yusuf-Obaro who garnered 319 and 188 votes respectively.
Announcing the results at the collation centre in Okene, the Returning Officer for the Kogi Central Senatorial Election, Dr Sadiq Mohammed, said “Bello polled 72,399 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke, who secured 319 votes.
“Momoh Yusuf Obaro came third with 188 votes.”
Giving a breakdown of the results, Mohammed said Bello won convincingly across all five LGAs: Adavi with 18,341 votes, Ajaokuta with 10,298, Ogori with 5,146, Okehi with 8,943, and Okene with 29,621 votes.
Accordingly to him, the total gave Bello an overwhelming 72,399 votes to secure the ticket.
Supporters and political associates of Yahaya Bello hailed the victory as a clear reflection of his enduring grassroots popularity, political strength, and the confidence reposed in him by members of the APC in Kogi Central.
Prof. Yahaya Adaviriku-Yusuf, Lecturer with Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State, in his reaction, said that the outcome of the election further demonstrated the overwhelming support and acceptance being enjoyed by the former governor across the five local government areas of Kogi Central.
Yusuf noted that party faithful, stakeholders, women groups, and youths turned out massively during the exercise.
He said Bello’s emergence as the APC candidate for the forthcoming Kogi Central senatorial election, would further strengthen the party’s position in Kogi.
The APC primary election, which was widely described as peaceful, transparent, and well-coordinated, witnessed jubilant celebrations across the senatorial district immediately after the announcement of the results. (ephemeralnews.com.ng)
