Court to Rule on Yahaya Bello's APC Candidacy Challenge

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled a ruling for November 19, 2026, on a suit filed by Momoh Obaro, challenging the selection of Yahaya Bello as the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Kogi Central. Obaro argues that he was the rightful winner of the party's primary held on May 18, 2026, claiming he received the highest lawful votes.

He seeks to prevent the APC from submitting Bello's name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and to have himself recognized as the candidate. Obaro alleges that Bello was not properly screened and had withdrawn from the contest prior to the primary.

In response, Bello, through his lawyer Joseph Daudu, SAN, has filed a preliminary objection, disputing Obaro's claims and asserting that he was cleared to contest, having received 72,999 votes compared to Obaro's 188. Both the APC and INEC support Bello's position, with INEC confirming that it monitored the primary and that Bello was the legitimate winner.