By Kayode Olawole
The National Coordinator for Advocacy for Good Governance and Accountability (AGGA), Kayode Olawole, has strongly condemned the recent arrest of Abdullahi Bello Bodejo, describing it as a politically motivated action that exposes the Taraba State Government to accusations of compromise and bad faith.
In a communique issued in Lagos on Monday, Olawole stated that the arrest is not merely an attack on an individual but a calculated move that threatens to damage the reputation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across Taraba State, the Northern region, and Nigeria as a whole.
He warned that if such actions are allowed to stand unchecked, they will create the impression that the ruling party tolerates internal sabotage against its own loyalists.
Olawole expressed deep concern over what he described as the unjust treatment being meted out to Bodejo by the Taraba State Government. According to him, subjecting a respected leader with a vast network of followers to repeated arrests and political harassment is unacceptable and counterproductive.
He stressed that in a political environment where loyalty and grassroots mobilisation matter, isolating and intimidating such a figure only serves to weaken the party’s structure and alienate its base. Rather than resort to intimidation, Olawole argued, the government should seek to engage Bodejo as a stakeholder whose influence could reinforce the APC’s strength in the North.
This is not the first time Dr. Bodejo has faced serious allegations that later collapsed under judicial scrutiny. In January 2024, he was arrested by the Defence Intelligence Agency in Malia, Nasarawa State, and subsequently arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a three-count charge bordering on terrorism.
The Federal Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, alleged that he had established an ethnic militia known as _Kungiya Zaman Lafiya_ without authorization, and that this action was prejudicial to national security and public safety under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The case drew national attention and raised questions about the balance between national security and political targeting.
During the proceedings, the prosecution alleged that Bodejo had provided material support, assistance, and transportation for activities connected with acts of terrorism, contrary to Sections 29, 2(3)(g)(xii), and 13(2)(b) of the Terrorism Act. He was held in custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency for several months while the case was pending. The trial court initially refused bail and ordered an accelerated hearing, signaling the seriousness with which the government initially approached the matter. However, the legal process took a decisive turn when the Federal Government itself moved to withdraw the charges.
On the day set for the commencement of trial, counsel for the Attorney-General of the Federation, Aderonke Imana, informed the court that she had an oral application to withdraw the three-count charge in the interest of justice. The application was made pursuant to Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, which empower the Attorney-General to discontinue criminal proceedings. Justice Inyang Ekwo, presiding over the matter, granted the application and formally discharged Bodejo. Bodejo’s lead counsel, Ahmed Raji SAN, welcomed the decision and publicly thanked the AGF, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, for what he described as a magnanimous gesture.
This judicial outcome is significant because it establishes a clear record that courts and the Federal Government have previously found no sustainable evidence to keep Bodejo in custody on terrorism charges. Olawole noted that ignoring this history and resurrecting similar allegations in a different political context sets a dangerous precedent. It suggests that the machinery of the state can be deployed to intimidate political actors whose influence is perceived as inconvenient, even when the courts have already exonerated them. Such a pattern, he warned, erodes public confidence in both the judiciary and the ruling party.
Bello Bodejo remains a respected figure with a large following across Northern Nigeria, particularly among pastoralist communities and grassroots political networks. His supporters maintain that his initiatives, including the establishment of local vigilante structures, were intended to complement formal security efforts in the face of rising insecurity. To them, targeting him under the guise of terrorism allegations amounts to criminalizing legitimate efforts to address insecurity at the community level. Olawole echoed this view, stating that Bodejo’s contributions to political mobilization and community organization should be recognized, not punished.
Olawole emphasized that instead of subjecting Bodejo to repeated arrests and public humiliation, the APC leadership should embrace him as a key stakeholder whose influence and support can strengthen the party. He argued that political parties grow stronger when they integrate influential grassroots leaders into their fold, rather than alienating them through coercive tactics. The repeated targeting of Bodejo, he said, sends a discouraging message to millions of supporters and sympathizers across the country who played a role in securing the APC’s victory and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate in 2023.
The AGGA coordinator further cautioned that those behind the sustained harassment are underestimating the broader implications of their actions. “They are not targeting Bello Bodejo alone,” he stated. “They are indirectly damaging the image of the APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the eyes of Northern Nigerians.” In a region where political loyalty is deeply tied to trust and perceived fairness, such actions risk creating resentment that could translate into reduced mobilization and voter apathy in future elections. The political cost of alienating influential Northern leaders, he added, is far greater than any short-term tactical gain.
If this situation is not addressed urgently, Olawole warned, it could have serious political consequences for the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections. Taraba State, which has historically been a battleground state, could become a flashpoint where internal divisions weaken the party’s standing. He reminded party leaders that elections are won through trust, inclusivity, and the ability to consolidate diverse interests under one platform. Any action that fractures that unity plays directly into the hands of opposition forces seeking to exploit internal rifts within the APC.
For these reasons, Olawole called directly on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and call the Governor of Taraba State to order. He urged the President and his advisers to return to the drawing board and correct what he described as growing political missteps before they escalate further. According to him, decisive intervention at this stage would demonstrate that the Presidency values loyalty and cohesion over factional intimidation, and that it is committed to protecting party members who have contributed to its electoral success.
Olawole concluded by reminding the APC leadership of the political consciousness and historical memory of the Northern electorate. “The North is united, and its people do not forget either good deeds or bad actions,” he said. “History may repeat itself if lessons are not learned. Northerners may remain silent for now, but their response will be clearly expressed at the ballot box in 2027.” He urged the party to act now to prevent a repeat of past mistakes that have cost political parties dearly in the region.
In sum, the arrest of Dr. Abdullahi Bello Bodejo is more than a legal matter—it is a political signal that will be interpreted by millions of APC supporters across the North. With a clear judicial precedent exonerating him and a Federal Government withdrawal of charges already on record, continuing to target him risks undermining the party’s credibility and unity. Olawole’s call is a timely reminder that the APC’s strength lies in its ability to manage internal diversity and protect its loyalists from politically motivated attacks.
