By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
The National President of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Socio-Cultural Association and a stakeholder of the All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant for the Taraba Central Senatorial seat, Bello Bodejo, has declared that he did not purchase his party’s expression of interest and nomination forms to step down for any other aspirant.
Bodejo emphasized that he is prepared for a direct primary election to test his popularity among party members within his senatorial district.
Speaking on Thursday during an interface with APC leaders and members at the state secretariat, Bodejo stated that his visit was primarily to notify the State Working Committee of his aspiration.
He noted that the move was in line with party tradition and a mark of respect for the leadership by a loyal party member who has officially entered the race.
While addressing journalists afterward, Bodejo mentioned reports of a committee inaugurated in his zone to produce a consensus candidate, but noted that no one has yet reached out to him.
He said he remained unperturbed, insisting that he is fully prepared for the primary election process.
According to him, “I did not purchase the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms to step down for anyone.”
He added that the mammoth crowd that welcomed him from the airport to the party office serves as a powerful motivation to proceed and not betray the trust of his supporters.
The senatorial hopeful also promised massive mobilization for the reelection of President Bola Tinubu across the North.
The State Chairman of the APC, Abubakar Bawa, who received the aspirant, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to providing a level playing field for all individuals contesting for the party’s tickets.
He urged all aspirants who have obtained forms to engage with registered party members and seek their mandate ahead of the primary elections.
In another development, Security agents have arrested Bello Bodejo, an aspirant for the Taraba Central Senatorial seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.
Bodejo’s personal aide, Umar, said the APC aspirant was arrested after visiting some security agencies’ offices alongside close political associates.
According to him, the arrest occurred at one of the security offices shortly after Bodejo addressed supporters at the APC state secretariat in Jalingo.
Umar said the associates who accompanied him were asked to leave immediately, while Bodejo was detained.
“At the moment, we do not know where he has been taken to,” he said.
“The same security personnel that escorted and protected him from Abuja to Jalingo were the ones who later arrested him.
“We are yet to be informed of the reason for his arrest, and our major concern now is that we do not know where he is being detained,” Umar added.
Before his arrest, Bodejo had told journalists at the APC secretariat that he purchased the senatorial nomination form to contest the election and would not to step down for any aspirant.
He insisted that he remained committed to the race and would not bow to pressure to withdraw his ambition.
“I am in this race to win, and nobody is going to force me to step down,” he declared.
The APC aspirant also disclosed that the consensus committee reportedly set up by Governor Agbu Kefas to engage aspirants across the three senatorial zones of the state had not contacted him.
“The consensus committee set up by the governor has not contacted me, and let me make it clear that I will not step down for anybody, no matter the pressure,” Bodejo said.
This is not the first time that he would be arrested.
In 2024, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested him over alleged creation of a vigilante group in Nasarawa State.
Bodejo was arrested at the Miyetti Allah Katal Houre’s Head Office at Tundun Maliya Cattle Market, Kilometre 22, Abuja-Keffi Expressway, Tundun-Wada, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The DSS operatives alongside some soldiers of the Nigerian Army, were said to have stormed the Miyetti Allah’s Head Office at about 3:40 pm, and they drove off after arresting Bodejo at the gate.
It is unclear if this latest arrest is political or has anything to do with security.