APC Clears Yahaya Bello to contest for Senate despite Ongoing EFCC Corruption Trials

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello as one of the aspirants for the Kogi Central Senatorial District primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections, despite his ongoing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on serious corruption and money laundering charges.

Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, faces two separate high-profile cases. In one, he is charged alongside two others on a 19-count indictment involving alleged money laundering and criminal breach of trust to the tune of ₦80.2 billion.

A separate case involves allegations of property fraud and money laundering amounting to over ₦110 billion. Both matters remain active, with Bello pleading not guilty and currently on bail. The EFCC has maintained that he is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.

The development has sparked widespread criticism on social media and among anti-corruption advocates. Many Nigerians question the message being sent to the public, especially young people and ordinary citizens facing economic hardship, when politicians facing unresolved graft cases are positioned for higher office.

“We can’t continue to celebrate criminals as political office holders while corruption cases against them remain unresolved. What message are we sending to young people and ordinary citizens struggling daily under economic hardship?”, @monitng wrote in post on X calling on Nigerians

The post highlighted Bello’s situation and referenced other high-profile figures across party lines, including former Zamfara Governor Bello Matawalle, ex-Attorney General Abubakar Malami, and former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, who have faced various allegations yet retained political relevance.

Critics argue this reflects a pattern of selective accountability, where cases against politically connected individuals often drag on in court while they continue to enjoy influence and endorsements. Supporters of Bello, however, point out that no conviction has been secured and that he retains full constitutional rights to contest elections.

Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC, have repeatedly stressed the need for consistent and transparent justice. Yet, public trust in the system continues to erode amid perceptions that powerful politicians receive preferential treatment compared to ordinary citizens prosecuted for lesser offences.

As the 2027 election cycle heats up, Bello’s cleared APC nomination positioning him potentially against incumbent Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is likely to intensify debates on the intersection of politics, justice, and governance in Nigeria.