Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
A court has fixed November 19 for a key decision concerning former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and the legal challenge surrounding his All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial ticket for Kogi Central ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Bello emerged as the APC candidate for Kogi Central after winning the party’s senatorial primary conducted in May 2026. He secured 72,399 votes, defeating Ibrahim Adoke, who polled 319 votes, and Momoh Yusuf Obaro, who received 188 votes.
The former governor’s nomination has, however, remained the subject of legal and political scrutiny as preparations for the 2027 elections continue.
Bello’s APC nomination
Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, returned to the political spotlight after securing the APC ticket for the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
His emergence followed uncertainty during the party’s screening process. A document circulated in May had initially listed Bello as “not cleared” for the senatorial primary, although subsequent developments showed that he was allowed to participate in the exercise.
The APC subsequently conducted the primary across the five local government areas that make up Kogi Central.
The result placed Bello firmly on the party’s ticket, with his name later appearing on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s candidate list for the 2027 Kogi Central senatorial election.
The development means Bello is set to contest for the Senate seat currently held by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who also secured her party’s ticket for the election.
Legal questions over the ticket
The latest court proceedings add another layer to the former governor’s return to electoral politics.
The legal dispute is important because the outcome could determine whether the APC nomination remains unaffected or whether further legal steps will be required concerning Bello’s candidacy.
Details of the case and the court’s eventual determination will be significant for the APC, Bello and other political actors in Kogi Central as parties move closer to the 2027 election.
The court’s decision should be distinguished from the separate criminal proceedings Bello is facing over allegations brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello’s ongoing EFCC cases
Bello is currently facing two separate criminal cases arising from allegations relating to financial misconduct during his tenure as Kogi governor.
In one case before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the EFCC is prosecuting him over allegations involving about N80.2 billion. The commission alleges that funds belonging to the Kogi State Government and local government councils were diverted and used in transactions involving properties in Nigeria and Dubai.
In a separate case before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Bello and two co-defendants are facing a 16-count charge involving alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering valued at about N110.4 billion.
Bello has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.
In June 2026, the FCT High Court dismissed an application by Bello seeking to challenge its jurisdiction to hear the N110.4 billion case. Justice Maryanne Anenih ruled that the court had jurisdiction to entertain the matter, allowing the trial to continue.
The ongoing cases have attracted attention because Bello secured the APC senatorial nomination while the proceedings were still before the courts. However, the allegations remain allegations and have not resulted in a final criminal conviction against him.
INEC lists Bello as APC candidate
The legal dispute over Bello’s political future comes after INEC listed him among the candidates for the 2027 Kogi senatorial elections.
According to the published candidate list, Bello is the APC candidate for Kogi Central and is among candidates contesting the three senatorial districts in Kogi State.
His inclusion followed his victory at the APC primary and the party’s subsequent nomination process.
The Kogi Central contest is also expected to feature Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was affirmed as the PDP candidate in May.
What the November 19 decision could mean
The November 19 court date is therefore significant because it could provide greater clarity on the legal challenge surrounding Bello’s APC senatorial ticket.
Until the court delivers its decision, the legal status of the challenge should not be confused with the separate criminal allegations against the former governor.
For voters and political parties in Kogi Central, the ruling could help clarify the legal position ahead of the next stages of the 2027 electoral process.
The development also highlights the increasingly important role of the courts in resolving disputes arising from political-party primaries and candidate nominations ahead of Nigeria’s next general elections.
What happens next
The immediate next step is the court proceeding scheduled for November 19.
Until then, Bello remains listed as the APC candidate for Kogi Central in INEC’s published candidate information, while the separate EFCC cases against him continue through the courts.
The eventual ruling will determine the next legal direction of the dispute and could have implications for the APC’s preparations for the Kogi Central senatorial contest.
Weng Global – stories beyond borders
Sources
- Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
- Premium Times
- The Guardian Nigeria
- Federal Capital Territory High Court proceedings
