By Danladi Monday
The National Coordinator of Advocacy for Good Governance and Accountability, Kayode Olawole, has condemned the arrest of Abdullahi Bello Bodejo, describing it as a politically motivated action capable of damaging the fortunes of the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Olawole made the remarks in a communiqué issued in Lagos on Monday after a meeting of the group, where he called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene in the matter.
According to him, the continued arrest and alleged harassment of Bodejo expose the Taraba State Government to accusations of bad faith and political compromise.
He warned that the development was not only an attack on Bodejo as an individual but also a direct threat to the unity and public image of the APC across Northern Nigeria.
“Subjecting a respected leader with a large grassroots following to repeated arrests and political intimidation is unacceptable and counterproductive,” Olawole stated.
He argued that in a political environment where loyalty and grassroots mobilisation remain critical, alienating influential figures like Bodejo could weaken the party’s support base and create distrust among supporters.
Rather than intimidate him, Olawole said authorities should engage Bodejo as a stakeholder whose influence could strengthen the APC in the North.
The AGGA coordinator also cautioned that those behind the alleged harassment were underestimating the political consequences of their actions.
“They are not targeting Bello Bodejo alone; they are indirectly damaging the image of the APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the eyes of Northern Nigerians,” he said.
He noted that political loyalty in the North is deeply connected to trust, fairness, and inclusion, warning that perceived injustice against influential Northern figures could lead to voter apathy and reduced political mobilisation in future elections.
Olawole further warned that if the situation remains unresolved, it could negatively affect the APC’s chances in Taraba State and other parts of the North ahead of the 2027 elections.
He stressed that political victories are built on unity, inclusiveness, and the ability to accommodate diverse interests within the party structure.
According to him, any action capable of creating internal divisions would only benefit opposition parties seeking to exploit cracks within the APC.
The AGGA coordinator therefore urged President Tinubu to intervene decisively and ensure that political intimidation does not undermine party cohesion.
He said timely intervention by the Presidency would reassure party loyalists that the APC values commitment, loyalty, and internal unity over factional interests.
Olawole also reminded the APC leadership that Northern voters have strong political consciousness and do not easily forget actions they perceive as unfair.
“The North is united, and its people do not forget either good deeds or bad actions. Northerners may remain silent for now, but their response will be seen clearly at the ballot box in 2027,” he warned.
He maintained that the arrest of Bodejo goes beyond legal issues and carries serious political implications for the ruling party.
“With the withdrawal of terrorism charges against him by the Federal Government and his discharge by the court already on record, continuing to target him risks undermining the credibility and unity of the APC,” Olawole said.
He recalled that Bodejo was arrested in January 2024 by the Defence Intelligence Agency and arraigned before the Federal High Court on allegations linked to terrorism and the establishment of an unauthorised ethnic militia known as Kungiya Zaman Lafiya.
However, the Federal Government later withdrew the charges in the interest of justice, leading to his discharge by Justice Inyang Ekwo.
Olawole argued that reviving similar allegations against Bodejo despite that judicial outcome creates the impression that state institutions are being used to intimidate political actors perceived as inconvenient.
He warned that such actions could erode public confidence in both the judiciary and the ruling party.
Describing Bodejo as a respected grassroots mobiliser with strong influence across pastoralist communities in Northern Nigeria, Olawole said his contributions to community organisation and political mobilisation should be recognised rather than criminalised.
He added that political parties become stronger when they integrate influential grassroots leaders instead of alienating them through coercive tactics.
According to him, the repeated targeting of Bodejo sends the wrong signal to millions of APC supporters and sympathisers who contributed to the party’s electoral victory in 2023.
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