Beyond Term Limits: The Urgent Case Against Abdullahi Bello's Continue Leadership in Kogi APC
It is an undeniable truth that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State stands at a critical juncture, facing internal dynamics that threaten its foundational principles and future viability. At the heart of this brewing storm is the contentious tenure of the current state chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Bello. It's no longer a secret that Hon. Bello has occupied this position for over nine years, a duration that brazenly exceeds the maximum constitutional requirement of eight years for such an office.
His ascendancy was, regrettably, a product of imposition, arriving on the scene immediately after the unfortunate passing of Prince Abubakar Audu, when the current government was also ushered in. This move unceremoniously truncated the legitimate tenure of Hadi Ametuo, the then-recognized party chairman in the state, setting a precedent that continues to haunt the party's democratic ideals.
To permit Hon. Bello to continue for an unprecedented third term as the state party chairman, whether through affirmation or any other means, is not merely a procedural misstep, it is a profound insult. It demeans not only the political intelligence of Kogi East and West, but also the very constituents of Kogi Central, the zone from which Hon. Bello hails. One must ask: Is Bello the sole capable individual from Kogi Central? Is the APC his birthright, or was he even among the party's founders? These questions highlight a dangerous sense of entitlement that undermines the principles of fairness and equitable representation within the party.
The stakeholders of the party, both at the state and federal levels, must recognize the perilous fragility of the APC's current standing in Kogi. This precarious state is largely a direct consequence of one-sided appointments and the maladministration that has characterized the current state government. Any attempt to forcefully impose Hon. Bello once again, through superficial affirmations or other machinations, will inevitably jeopardize the party's prospects in the crucial 2027 elections. Such actions are not without precedent, the current leadership and the presidency need only look to historical lessons. We have seen similar impositions and internal dissent cripple the party's performance in states like Imo, Abia, Zamfara, and Sokoto.
Consider the last election: the significant victory achieved by Jagaban in Benue State was not solely due to the tireless efforts of APC leaders but largely a result of the internal crises plaguing the PDP. A similar scenario played out in Edo State, where other parties capitalized on the protracted Dan Obih vs. Obaseki sagas within the PDP. It is imperative that party leaders undertake every conceivable measure to prevent such self-inflicted wounds from tearing apart the Kogi APC.
Furthermore, the party's constitution is unequivocally clear on the matter of tenure. Affirmation, a process often misused to bypass genuine electoral processes, can only be legitimately applied where chairmen are still serving their initial tenure. The core of this argument is not, at this juncture, about the zone from which Hon. Bello originates, it is fundamentally about his constitutional disqualification to continue as chairman. His extended stay has already exceeded the stipulated maximum.
At this exceptionally critical juncture, with opposition parties steadily gaining ground and momentum within the state, the APC needs a leadership that embodies capability, intelligence, humility, and moral rectitude to steer its affairs. We cannot afford the luxury of a shallow-minded politician at the helm. The time for change is now.
Enough is truly enough.
APC Concerned Youths, Kogi State