By Ben Adaji Jalingo
Pressure is mounting on a frontline contender for the Taraba Central Senatorial District seat, Abdullahi Bello Bodejo, following his arrest and continued detention by security agencies.
Bodejo, who was arrested in Jalingo by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on May 7, 2026, was reportedly flown to Abuja overnight before being handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he remains in custody.
Sources close to the matter alleged that authorities advised the senatorial aspirant to withdraw from the 2027 race as part of conditions for his release. The sources further claimed that Bodejo was told to shelve his ambition for now and wait until 2031.
The politician, who also serves as National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, is said to be under increasing political pressure amid growing interest in the Taraba Central contest.
Reacting to the development, Bodejo’s Director of Campaign, Alhaji Adamu Isa, condemned what he described as the humiliating manner in which the APC stalwart was arrested and transported to Abuja in the presence of supporters.
Isa said Bodejo had remained loyal to the ruling All Progressives Congress and committed substantial personal resources toward the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election.
According to him, political disagreements should have been resolved through dialogue rather than intimidation by security agencies.
He maintained that Bodejo reserves the right to either remain in the race or step down, but stressed that any decision should emerge from genuine consultations among stakeholders.
Isa also faulted the APC consensus committee in Taraba, alleging that it never invited Bodejo for discussions before his arrest.
The campaign director appealed to the national leadership of the APC and other critical stakeholders to intervene and ensure Bodejo’s immediate release.
He further urged supporters of the embattled aspirant to remain calm and law-abiding as developments continue to unfold.
