There seems to be palpable tension within the All Progressives Congress ahead of its primary election scheduled for Monday, May 18, 2026, following a formal petition demanding the immediate disqualification of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, over alleged violations of party procedures.
The petition, addressed to the National Working Committee (NWC) and the APC Primary Election Committee, was submitted by a group of concerned Stakeholders under the auspices of APC Patriots led by Adejo Emmanuel and Oiza Abdulrahman, who accused the former governor of failing to participate in the party’s mandatory screening exercise conducted last weekend.
According to the petitioners, publicly circulated photographs and video clips allegedly showed Bello attending an interfaith programme in Lagos at the same time other aspirants were appearing before the screening panel.
The group insisted that participation in the screening exercise remains a compulsory requirement for all aspirants seeking to contest in the APC primary election, arguing that Bello’s absence automatically disqualifies him from the process.
The petition further alleged that efforts were later made to allegedly circumvent established party procedures after news of Bello’s absence became public.
According to the stakeholders, the former governor allegedly attempted to undergo the screening exercise by proxy before certain party officials were reportedly approached to arrange what the petitioners described as a “private screening.”
The group also alleged that about $200,000 was deployed to facilitate the arrangement, warning that any off-schedule or unofficial screening process would amount to a direct violation of the APC constitution and the party’s established electoral guidelines.
“Any clearance obtained through such questionable means is procedurally defective, null and void,” part of the petition stated.
The stakeholders also accused the party leadership of failing to publish the official screening results, a development they claimed denied aspirants the opportunity to file appeals within the stipulated timeframe provided by party regulations.
They warned that proceeding with the primary election without completing the required processes could expose the party to legal battles, internal rebellion, and further deepen the growing crisis within the APC.
The petitioners consequently demanded the immediate disqualification of Yahaya Bello from the APC primary election, the immediate publication of the official screening results, and an independent investigation into the alleged financial inducement surrounding the reported private screening arrangement.
“The party must ensure that the rules apply equally to all members. A primary that lacks credibility cannot produce a candidate with a legitimate mandate,” the petition added.
