Why APC Must Hand Over Its Future to Yahaya Adoza Bello Now
At a time when Nigeria’s political terrain is in urgent need of renewal, and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) faces the dual challenge of internal cohesion and national relevance, the search for a capable National Chairman must go beyond politics as usual. It must reflect foresight, performance, and capacity.
In this crucial moment, one name stands out, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, a man whose leadership record, party loyalty, and national appeal make him the most qualified and strategic choice to lead the APC into the future.
Yahaya Bello is not just a politician; he is a performer. As Governor of Kogi State, he left behind an unmatched legacy of infrastructural transformation and people-focused governance. His administration constructed over 500 kilometers of roads, expanded rural electrification, completed vital bridges and flyovers, and delivered potable water to communities that had been neglected for decades. In healthcare, his impact was even more profound — over 400 primary health centers were established or renovated, supported by a health insurance scheme that made medical care accessible to the most vulnerable. These achievements were not theoretical. They were practical and visible in the lives of ordinary people.
What sets Bello apart even more is his fearless approach to leadership. He governed with a rare boldness — unafraid to make hard decisions, yet always guided by equity and inclusion. His record shows deliberate efforts to ensure ethnic balance and religious tolerance in a diverse state like Kogi, offering a blueprint for the kind of inclusive leadership APC must now embrace at the national level. He didn’t just preach unity — he practiced it.
In a party that desperately needs to reconnect with Nigeria’s youth, Yahaya Bello offers something no other contender can: authenticity. As the youngest governor of his time, he broke the old political mold and opened the doors for a new generation of leaders. He understood the language of young people — not just in words, but through action. From investing in digital hubs and entrepreneurship schemes to supporting agribusiness for youth empowerment, Bello gave the APC something to boast about — a progressive vision backed by results.
He is also no stranger to the workings of the party at the national level. He successfully chaired the Security and Protocol Subcommittee during the 2022 APC National Convention, proving his organizational competence and the trust the party already places in him. He has also led reconciliation efforts in volatile political zones, demonstrating his ability to manage differences and build consensus — skills that are indispensable in today’s fractious political climate.
What further makes his candidature compelling is his broad-based national appeal. As a former APC presidential aspirant, he built strong alliances and gained endorsements from legislators in the South-South, youth organizations, women groups, and civil society coalitions across Nigeria. These were not endorsements earned by political manipulation, but by his integrity, track record, and ability to speak to a united Nigeria. In a party where regional and ethnic considerations often dominate leadership calculations, Bello’s nationwide acceptance is a priceless asset.
But beyond personal qualities and performance, one argument must not be overlooked — zoning. The principle of zoning remains a cornerstone of fairness and balance in Nigeria’s political structure, and the APC has always respected this unwritten code. With the presidency in the South and the Senate Presidency now in the South-South, it is only just and strategic that the National Chairmanship returns to the North — particularly, the North Central, a region that has long served as the party’s bridge of unity and electoral engine room.
The North Central is not just geographically pivotal; it is politically consequential. It delivered significantly for the APC in the last elections, yet the region remains largely underrepresented at the highest levels of party leadership. It is therefore not just a matter of fairness, but political survival, that the APC recognizes and rewards this critical bloc.
And in that zone, Yahaya Bello stands head and shoulders above all. He is not a creation of emergency politics, but a tested leader with the strength, structure, and strategic intelligence to unify the party and position it for victory in 2027. Zoning the Chairmanship to North Central is not enough — it must be zoned right, and Yahaya Bello is the right man for the moment.
This point becomes even more urgent when viewed against the backdrop of a rising opposition force. Recently, prominent political figures including former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, along with influential former governors like Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, have aligned to form a new coalition. This movement has birthed a new platform — the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) — aimed squarely at unseating the APC in 2027. Coupled with growing activity in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), this unified opposition effort poses the most serious threat to the APC since 2015.
In the face of such a formidable coalition, only a leader with Yahaya Bello’s kind of resolve, reach, and readiness can steer the APC to safety — and success. He is young enough to energize the base, bold enough to take the fight to the opposition, and strategic enough to anticipate and neutralize political threats before they take root. Anything less than this would leave the APC exposed.
Yahaya Bello is also a fighter. He has weathered criticism, false accusations, and political ambushes with the calm and confidence of a man who understands that leadership is not about applause, but about legacy. And despite it all, he continues to command respect and admiration from a wide spectrum of Nigerians who see in him a symbol of resilience and reform. That is precisely the kind of leader APC needs now — one who can steady the ship, enforce party discipline, and at the same time, expand the party’s base ahead of 2027.
To ignore such a man at this critical juncture would be a grave mistake. This is not the time to reward sentiment or settle internal scores. It is the time to be strategic, deliberate, and forward-thinking. The APC must rise above personal interests and hand over the mantle of leadership to someone with vision, courage, and competence. Yahaya Bello fits that description perfectly.
If the APC truly wants to regain the confidence of Nigerians, attract new demographics, and remain the dominant force in national politics, then it must make the right choice. That choice is Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello. The time to act is now.
Williams Charles Oluwatoyin,
Writes from Lokoja
About Post Author
