APC may declare Yahaya Bello as Audu’s replacement

Ahead of the historic decision to be announced by the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress in Abuja today, strong indications have shown that Yahaya Bello may be declared as the candidate of the party ahead of the December 5 supplementary poll of the party.

A member of the National Working Committee who craved anonymity confided in Vanguard that the decision to field Yahaya Bello was informed by his status as the runner-up up in the governorship primaries of the party, held on August 29 at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja.

According to the NWC member, the party may shelve the fresh primaries earlier proposed and declare Yahaya Bello as replacement for the late Prince Abubakar Audu.

In his words: “We have been working round the clock to resolve the Kogi issue. INEC has given us the green light to come up with a replacement for the late Prince Abubakar Audu.

Initially, we thought of organizing a fresh primary election. But with the current scenario, we have resolved to follow advice from informed quarters in order not to play into the hands of the PDP.

“Bringing a fresh candidate now may throw up some legal issues as the primary we had in August has not been voided. As a party of change, we have to ensure we do things in accordance with the law.

“We are presently building consensus around the decision as we need to put our house in order before making any announcement”.

The source however said there were still a handful of opposition from powerful quarters against the nomination of Yahaya Bello but that the presidency is insisting on the party towing the path of constitutionalism on the Kogi governorship issue.

Alh. Yahaya Bello is an alumnus of the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and a fellow of the Institute of Chattered Accountants of Nigeria. A successful business entrepreneur, Alh. Yahaya Bello had a successful stint with the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission. He hails from Agassa in Okene.