Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state Raises alarm about "dumping" APC

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state Raises alarm about "dumping" APC

There are indications that Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello is set to dump the All Progressive Congress (APC) for the November governorship election agreement party in the state.

Feelers emerged when the governor ordered the removal of APC flags and banners from the state government headquarters of Lugard House.

The governor had a tough battle with the state's APC chieftains to secure the party's election ticket.

ThisDay reports that the governor has restored the secretariat of the Accord Party. Although the Accord Party was his alternative party in 2015 when he lost the primary governorship of the APC to late Prince Abubakar Audu, in the supplementary election he was eventually nominated to take Audu's place.

Sources reported that Bello told some of his closest allies in his cabinet that he had been advised by some cabal in Aso Rock to move to another party because the ticket forces were against him.

According to him, if he contests the election of governorship in another party, he was assured of their support.

The sources also revealed that Benue State Governor Dr. Samuel Ortom, a good Bello friend, also advised him to dump the APC for another party in order to be able to compete in the election.

The APC's national secretariat has already received more than 10 petitions from individuals, different groups and also within the party demanding that Bello not be given a second term ticket.

Senior party officials at Abuja's national secretariat who preferred anonymity, however, said that while it was normal for dissatisfaction to exist in politics, it was doubtful whether Governor Bello would consider jumping ships.

"What the national leadership is determined to do is to provide all aspirants with a level playing field. The issue of Abuja favoring anyone is totally misconceived," said an official.