Youth leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have accused certain influential party figures of orchestrating the persecution of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging that the action is politically motivated.
The youth leaders, who are part of the APC Youth Leaders Forum (AYLF) representing all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), questioned why a party member who contributed significantly to the party’s growth and helped secure President Bola Tinubu’s election is now being targeted for persecution.
In a statement issued on Monday, jointly signed by the Forum’s National President, Alhaji Abdullahi Danbaba, and National Secretary, Dr. Chike Ihedioha, the youth leaders argued that certain individuals within the party were seeking to undermine it due to their ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections and their desires for political offices.
The AYLF, a youth mobilization network registered with the APC National Secretariat, has been at the forefront of youth organization and mobilization since the party’s inception.
The youth leaders emphasized that the former governor has consistently followed the law throughout the ongoing investigation, pointing to his many accomplishments during his tenure as governor of Kogi State, which they believe have been largely overlooked.
“His achievements in Kogi State are visible to all, and there have been multiple testimonies to this effect,” the statement read.
“Those using the EFCC to target him have forgotten that there are others who should truly be under investigation, yet they remain untouched.”
They argued that the current actions are damaging the administration and serving the interests of those with ulterior motives ahead of the 2027 elections.
They also condemned the sponsorship of articles aimed at discrediting Bello by alleged dubious APC groups.
“We have reliable information that the ongoing harassment and persecution of Alhaji Yahaya Bello by the EFCC is politically motivated, driven by those with 2027 ambitions,” the statement continued. “Instead of rewarding the party’s loyal supporters who contributed to our electoral successes, they are being targeted and falsely branded as criminals.”
The youth leaders also pointed to the case of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who they claimed is also being unfairly targeted by the same party figures.
“This is a critical time for the President to take charge and prevent these individuals from destroying the party for personal gain,” they said.
They further called for the immediate withdrawal of politically motivated petitions related to corruption before the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and other agencies, urging the party to focus on the right path forward.
“Let the EFCC do its job without being used as a tool to target perceived enemies of a few influential party members,” the AYLF concluded.
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