The All Progressives Congress (APC) Aspirants’ Forum, Kogi State Chapter, has rejected the candidature of Governor Yahaya Bello for a second term in office over alleged bad leadership and non-performance.
The group’s decision was made known in a communique issued at the end of its meeting on Monday in Abuja.
The communique made available to Igbere TV, was jointly signed by its Chairman, Mr Ben Adaji, and Secretary, Mr Anthony Oye.
The group appealed to Comrade Adams Oshiomole, National Chairman of the APC and its National Working Committee (NWC) not to give the governorship ticket to Bello.
It argued that giving the ticket to Bello to run for a second term would be a risk, warning the party may lose the state to the opposition.
It said Bello had remained adamant in spite directives by President Muhammadu Buhari to all APC governors to reconcile and accommodate the party’s aspirants after the last primaries.
The communique alleged that Bello had continued to treat Kogi aspirants as enemies and second class citizens in the party they laboured to build.
It said the forum had therefore resolved to mobilise and support one of its members to contest the forthcoming primaries and the subsequent governorship election slated for November.
It added that after much deliberations and debate, the forum nominated three of its members, including Alhaji Yahaya Audu, Dr Chief Adedoyin and Dr Toyin Akanle for the contest.
“At the end of the deliberations, Alhaji Yahaya Audu was unanimously endorsed to contest the forthcoming Kogi Governorship Election,” the communique said.
The forum also used the opportunity to pledge unalloyed support for the Buhari administration.