Kogi poll: Violence at APC national secretariat as Yahaya Bello arrives for possible unveiling.

By ORIH CHIBUIKE, The Nigerian Voice, Abuja

Following APC nomination of Yahaya Bello as the replacement for Prince Audu Abubakar, its deceased candidate in the Kogi Governorship Election, protesters loyal to Bello and Faleke on Monday clashed at the Party's Secretariat, destroying goods worth millions of naira.

One major contender in the race for the office of governor in Kogi State arrived the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in company of a sizeable amount of supporters chanting "Sai Yahaya Bello".

Bello arrived the APC secretariat with his supporters at about 2.45pm and immediately went into the office of the National Secretary.

On sighting Bello at the national secretariat, some youths who came in several buses allegedly from Kogi State, went violent.

Not less than five cars where destroy and live was lost.

There has been tight security at the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the official announcement with policemen and men of the Directorate of State Security on ground to prevent any break down of law and order.

the APC secretariat has had been taken over by supporters of Bello.

The roads leading to the national headquarters was as early as 9am taken over by security agencies comprising of the Nigeria Police Force, men of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security outfits in anticipation of any untoward political activity and probably to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

The belief is that he would be unveiled to the press and the public as the party’s candidate for the election that would be concluded on December 5.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, which declared the November 21, 2015 election inconclusive, has fixed Saturday for fresh ballot in 91 polling units.

It was suggested they were supporters of Audu’s running mate, James Abiodun Faleke, who on Monday morning closed ranks with the Audu family and declared the late governorship candidate’s son, Muhammedu, his running mate.

They both vowed to defend the mandate of Audu.
This is after news had filtered in during the weekend that he (Yahaya Bello) had been picked as the party's likely flag bearer in the inconclusive Kogi governorship elections, a position the party is yet to confirm or deny.

Visitors to the APC secretariat were however restricted while Journalists covering the party were subjected to heavy security checks before being allowed into the secretariat.