Yahaya Bello fills nomination form as APC candidate for Kogi poll

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has given its Kogi State governorship nomination form to its new candidate, Mr. Yahaya Bello, to fill.

The development may have foreclosed the consideration of any other candidate as the party’s standard bearer.

Bello filled the form, which was signed by a Commissioner of Oath. It was returned to the APC National Secretariat.

It was learnt that the form was attached to the letter of nomination, which the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, sent to INEC on Friday.

The party retained Hon. James Abiodun Faleke as running mate – a position Faleke rejected, insisting on the mandate the people gave the late Abubakar Audu/Faleke ticket.

A top officer of the party said: “We are in receipt of many petitions but it is already late for anybody because we have nominated Yahaya Bello as the party’s substitute for  Prince Abubakar Audu.

“Of course, we have automatically retained Hon. James Abiodun Faleke as our deputy governorship candidate.

“As a matter of fact, we gave the nomination form to Bello to fill on Friday and we have duly submitted all relevant documents to INEC.

“You can direct further enquiries to INEC and Bello, who is now our candidate.”

It was gathered that APC rushed to give the form to Bello, despite the fact that it has up till December 1, to pre-empt legal action especially court injunction.

A member of the NWC said: “We hastily concluded the nomination process to stave off any court injunction which may hinder the party’s chances for the supplementary poll on December 5.

“We took advantage of Friday to seal the process because any of the aggrieved parties could rush to court before Tuesday and allow the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) to emerge winner of the Kogi Governorship Election on a platter of gold.

“If we do not check the dirty war over the substitution of our candidate, APC may be the ultimate loser.”

When contacted, a media aide to Bello said: “It is true that our principal has filled the governorship nomination form as presented to him by APC and we are aware that the form has been submitted.”

A source in INEC also confirmed the submission of the form. “Yes, it has been submitted,” he said pleading not to be quoted.