Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello may not be the preferred candidate of APC in the forthcoming Governorship election to be held this November in Kogi State, LeadingReporters can authoritatively reveal.

A source who revealed this secret to LeadingReporters said that Governor Yahaya Bello received the shock of his life when President Buhari allegedly told him that reports and feelers from Kogi State does not in any way favour him as the choice candidate of the party in the forthcoming governorship election.
In a closed door meeting in the Presidential Villa held between President Muhamadu Buhari and Governor Yahaya Bello before the President embarked on his overseas trip, President Buhari was said to have told Governor Yahaya Bello that reports from civil servants, traditional institutions and different civil society organisations on the state of affairs in Kogi State would surely work against Governor Bello if he seeks reelection, the source hinted.
“You’d notice that the fierce and exuberant Bello is calmer these days.  He preaches compassion and has gone as far as initiating pro-peoples’ projects.  He recently promised to pay Kogi State civil servants four months’ salary arrears. All these are ways to see if he could redeem an already battered image”
The President however asserted that Governor Bello’s loyalty would not go unrewarded as he assured him that he would do everything within his power to ensure that Bello’s loyalty is rewarded with a ministerial appointment.
The source said Bello felt betrayed, arguing that he had done everything to prove his loyalty to the party and the President.  The Governor was said to have confided in few of his allies that he would draw a fight with the party or whoever that stands on his way to being reelected.
The source further revealed that Governor Bello was pointing accusing finger on Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress APC, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole as the brain behind crises of confidence he has suffered from the President.
Governor Bello was quoted to have threatened to take his fight to the doorstep of Oshiomhole and Tinubu if they insist on fielding another candidate other than him.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision may have been as a result of poor performance of APC in Kogi State during the last Presidential and National Assembly Elections, despite Governor Yahaya Bello’s taunted popularity and assurances that he was solidly on ground.  Another factor may be as a result of the fact that despite all the supports Governor Bello received from the party and the Presidency, he was unable to unseat his arch political enemy – Senator Dino Melaye.