MACBAN President Bello Bodejo
President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Bello Bodejo, has withdrawn from the Taraba Central Senatorial race and declared support for President Bola Tinubu, Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas and Senator Haruna Manu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Bodejo, who contested for the Taraba Central Senatorial ticket during the recently concluded primaries, was reportedly arrested in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, about two weeks ago by suspected operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) shortly after submitting his nomination form at the state secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He was later said to have been transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja over alleged financial-related offences.
Announcing his decision to step down from the race, Bodejo, through the Director-General of his campaign council, Alhaji Adamu Isa, directed all his supporters to rally behind President Tinubu, Governor Kefas and Senator Haruna Manu in the 2027 elections.
According to Isa, “Bodejo’s intention to contest was not to antagonise anyone but his desire was to contribute his own quota to the already existing development process in Taraba Central.”
He stated that both Governor Kefas and Senator Manu had already begun delivering democratic dividends to the people and deserved the support of residents across the state.
“He added that both Governor Kefas and Sen. Haruna Manu have initiated the process of providing the needed dividends of democracy in the state and therefore should be given adequate support in the forthcoming elections,” the statement said.
The MACBAN president also reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC, describing himself as a founding member of the party who remains committed to its success.
“He reassured that he would remain in the All Progressives Congress (APC) because he has been a founding member and is ready to support the party with all his followers,” Isa stated.
Bodejo, further, maintained that politics should not be treated as a “do-or-die affair,” stressing his readiness to abide by democratic principles and the outcome of the political process.
He also appealed to his supporters to remain peaceful and mobilise massively for the APC during the 2027 general elections.
