A former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has declared his intention to contest the Kogi Central senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections, setting the stage for a potential showdown with the incumbent, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
During a visit to the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Anaje, where he met with traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders from the senatorial district, said to the gathering: ‘I accept to run for the Senate in 2027’.
In a video of the visit, shared on Bello’s verified Facebook page on Monday, the current governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, other political figures and community leaders from across the district were seen at the event.
Ododo appealed to his immediate past predecessor to heed calls from party leaders and constituents urging him to represent Kogi Central at the National Assembly.
Bello governed the state from 2016 to 2024 and remains an influential figure within the All Progressives Congress in the state. His declaration is widely seen as a move to maintain a strong political presence in the district after leaving office.
In a related development, the Chairman of Okehi Local Government Area, Hon. Amoka Eneji was reported to have congratulated the former governor on his decision to contest the senatorial seat.
Eneji was quoted as saying that Bello had contributed significantly to the unity and development of the Ebira people, adding that his leadership would continue to be remembered in the history of Ebiraland.
In the 2023 Central senatorial election, Akpoti-Uduaghan, a lawyer and former governorship aspirant, made history as the first woman to represent the district in the Senate.
