The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, and Senator Sunday Karimi, who represents Kogi West, are among aspirants cleared by the National Assembly screening committee to contest the primary scheduled for Monday in Kogi State.

The APC screening committee approved 17 senatorial aspirants across the state’s three senatorial districts for the primaries scheduled for Monday.

Bello, whose eligibility had been the subject of speculation in recent days, was officially confirmed after his name appeared as number 13 on the list of cleared aspirants for the Kogi Central Senatorial District race.

The former governor is expected to battle Momoh Yusuf Obaro and Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke for the party’s ticket in Kogi Central Senatorial District.

In Kogi West, incumbent Senator Sunday Karimi emerged as the consensus candidate after a stakeholders’ meeting chaired by Governor Usman Ododo at the Government House in Lokoja.

Although six other aspirants, including former Senator Smart Adeyemi and Aro Bamidele, were also cleared by the committee, political observers believe Karimi remains the frontrunner following the consensus arrangement.

For Kogi East Senatorial District, seven aspirants were cleared to contest the APC primary. They include incumbent Senator Isah Echocho, Joseph Ameh and Murtala Ajaka.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party has produced its House of Representatives candidates in Kogi through consensus arrangements across several federal constituencies.

Former lawmaker Abdulrahman Badamasuiy emerged as the PDP candidate for Okehi/Adavi Federal Constituency. Badamasuiy represented the constituency between 2011 and 2015.

Also emerging through consensus were Mohammed A. Etudaiye for Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency and Lawal Idrisu for Ajaokuta Federal Constituency.

In Kogi West, Abdulkadir Ibrahim clinched the Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency ticket, while Femi Victor Olubiyi emerged for Kabba/Bunu Federal Constituency.

Ibigbemi Seun Samuel was returned unopposed for Yagba Federal Constituency.

In Kogi East, Abubakar Yahaya secured the ticket for Ankpa/Olamaboro/Omala Federal Constituency, while former lawmaker Okolo Ikani Benjamin emerged for Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency through affirmation.

Former Idah Local Government Chairman Ukwenya Paul Ogwu also emerged unopposed as the PDP candidate for Idah Federal Constituency.

Speaking after his affirmation in Ogaminana, Badamasuiy thanked party members for the peaceful conduct of the exercise and pledged to use his legislative experience to attract development projects and provide quality representation to his constituency.

“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. (The PUNCH)

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