Youth leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have accused certain influential figures within the party of orchestrating what they call the “persecution” of Yahaya Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). did.
APC youths in a statement on Tuesday alleged that Yahaya Bello is under pressure from party leaders for reasons that appear to be politically motivated.
The APC Youth Leaders Forum (AYLF), representing youths from 36 states and the FCT, has expressed concern that key figures who were instrumental in the party’s success, particularly in securing the presidency for President Bola Tinubu, are now being targeted for harassment. expressed.
The statement, jointly signed by AYLF National President Al Abdullahi Danbaba and National Secretary Dr. Chike Ihedioha, states that certain persons within the party have announced that the party will not be able to support the party in view of its 2027 election ambitions and aspirations for the AYLF. He suggested that he was trying to undermine the political position.
AYLF, a youth mobilization network registered with the APC National Secretariat, asserted that: “According to the record so far on the ongoing case against Yahaya Bello, the former governor has been on the side of the law and protected by the state since the inception of the case. It has been the law all along.”
Highlighting Mr. Bello’s achievements in Kogi State, they said, “Those who are using the EFCC against him are the ones who the EFCC should actually target if we are to truly cleanse the country. I forget that it’s there,” he said.
The statement continued: “We must save this administration from ridicule by its detractors. But Nigerians are not stupid. They can identify genuine claims.
AYLF further stated that “the persistent harassment, persecution and intimidation of former Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello by the EFCC is entirely politically motivated and incited by individuals pursuing the 2027 agenda. We know this on sufficient authority.”
The group expressed disappointment that instead of recognizing those who played a central role in recent election victories, party members who supported these milestones were being targeted.
They noted that this is happening despite the achievements of the APC in Kogi State, which helped secure victory in both the presidential and governorship elections.
They point to others, such as former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, who they believe are also at risk of being undermined by those who have contributed little to the party’s growth. .
The youth leaders called on the president to “show leadership and prevent these individuals from harming the party with their politically motivated grievances.”
They called for the withdrawal of all politically motivated corruption petitions to the EFCC, ICPC and other anti-corruption agencies, claiming this would help get the party back on track.
“Let the EFCC do its job without getting used to hunting down those seen as enemies of a few influential people within the party,” they concluded.
