UPDATED: 2027: Release our leader or forget our votes – Miyetti Allah tells Tinubu

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Fulani socio-cultural group, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, has said it will only support the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general election if its national president, Bello Bodejo, is released by the State Security Service (SSS).

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The group made its position known at a press conference held at Mr Bodejo’s residence in Uke, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, where Fulani leaders from across the country were in attendance.

Speaking at the briefing, the Nasarawa State Chairman of the group, Akhajo Abubakar, said it would mobilise its votes only for political leaders who demonstrate genuine concern for the interests and progress of the Fulani community.

“We did not vote for APC to arrest our leaders. Our votes this time will go to those who want our progress,” Mr Abubakar said.

He claimed that the Fulani community has more than one million voters in Nasarawa State alone. However, he cited no data to support the claim.

Background

Mr Bodeji has been embroiled in a series of arrests, releases and overlapping legal cases.

His ordeal started in January 2024 when he was arrested for creating what authorities described as an authorised ethnic militia—Kungiyar Zaman Lafiya—capable of inciting violence.

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He was subsequently arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges bordering on terrorism in March.

About two months later, the prosecution withdrew the case, prompting the presiding judge, Inyang Ekwo, to discharge him.

In December, the Fulani leader was rearrested by officers of the 117 battalion of the Nigerian Army, following a clash between some herders and a retired army general. 

Mr Bodejo was held for days without being charged, a development that the Abuja High Court described as “unlawful”, and ordered his immediate release.

In May 2026, the SSS arrested Mr Bodejo in Taraba State shortly after he officially declared his candidacy for the Taraba Central Senatorial District seat under the All Progressives Congress (APC). The secret police later transferred him to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

READ ALSO: Court reduces Miyetti Allah leader’s N2 billlion bail bond in money laundering trial

While authorities linked the arrest to multi-billion naira money laundering and terrorism financing, Mr Bodejo’s supporters and affiliate groups said it was politically motivated, arguing that he was arrested for his refusal to step down for a consensus candidate endorsed by the APC.

The Taraba State APC Working Committee denied the allegation. However, while detained for months on subsequent EFCC charges, Mr Bodejo’s campaign council announced his official withdrawal from the senatorial race, stating that he would instead support alternative consensus candidates.

Mr Bodejo was immediately rearrested by the SSS on 28 August, right after fulfilling his N2 billion bail conditions and leaving EFCC custody.

The SSS has not explained why it rearrested Mr Bodejo, but this newspaper understands that it could be related to the creation of an ethnic militia vigilante group, a terrorism-related case the Nigerian government abruptly withdrew in 2024.

Editor’s note: This report has been updated to include the background for Mr Bodejo’s detention.