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The All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leaders have pointed accusing fingers at some influential figures within the party for being behind the “persecution” of the immediate past governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement on Tuesday, the APC youths claimed that Yahaya Bello is allegedly facing pressure from top party members for reasons they believe are politically motivated.

The APC Youth Leaders Forum (AYLF), representing youths from the 36 states and the FCT, expressed concern that key contributors to the party’s success—particularly in securing the presidency for President Bola Tinubu—are now being targeted with harassment.

The statement, jointly signed by the National President, Alh Abdullahi Danbaba, and National Secretary, Dr. Chike Ihedioha, of AYLF, suggested that certain individuals within the party are trying to undermine it in light of their ambitions for the 2027 elections and desire for political positions.

AYLF, a registered youth mobilization network with the APC national secretariat, asserted: “From records so far on the ongoing case against Yahaya Bello, the former governor has been on the side of the law since the beginning of the case, being protected by the law all along.”

They highlighted Bello’s achievements in Kogi State, noting that “those who are using the EFCC against him have forgotten that there are individuals the EFCC should actually target if we are to truly clean up the country.”

The statement continued, “We must save this administration from ridicule by our detractors. Those who are driven by fears surrounding the 2027 elections are also behind articles circulated by questionable APC groups to discredit the former governor. But Nigerians are not fools. They can identify genuine claims.”

AYLF further stated, “We have it on good authority that the persistent harassment, persecution, and intimidation of Alhaji Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi State, by the EFCC is entirely politically motivated, fueled by individuals pursuing a 2027 agenda.”

The group expressed disappointment that, rather than recognizing those who played pivotal roles in recent election victories, party members who supported these milestones are being targeted.

This, they noted, is happening despite APC’s achievements in Kogi State, which helped secure wins in both presidential and governorship elections.

They pointed to other figures, such as former Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, who they believe are also at risk of being undermined by those who have contributed little to the party’s growth.

The youth leaders urged the President to “show leadership and prevent these individuals from harming the party due to politically motivated grievances.”

They called for the withdrawal of all politically motivated corruption petitions before the EFCC, ICPC, and other anti-corruption agencies, asserting this would help steer the party back on course.

“Let the EFCC do its job without being used to hound perceived enemies of a few influential people in the party,” they concluded.