Bello made the announcement during a visit to the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, where he met with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other stakeholders from the district

By Titilope Adako

Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has officially declared his intention to contest the Kogi Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections, setting up a possible showdown with the incumbent, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Bello made the announcement during a visit to the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, where he met with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other stakeholders from the district.

A video shared on Bello’s verified Facebook page on Monday showed him accepting calls to run for the Senate, stating, “I accept to run for the Senate in 2027.”

The event was attended by Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, alongside other political figures and community leaders.

Governor Ododo urged Bello to heed the calls from party leaders and constituents to represent Kogi Central at the National Assembly, with the appeal made in the presence of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland and other prominent personalities.

Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, remains a major figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

His declaration is widely seen as a strategic move to sustain his political influence in the district.

In a related development, the Chairman of Okehi Local Government Area, Amoka Eneji, congratulated Bello on his decision, commending his contributions to the unity and development of the Ebira people.

The Kogi Central Senatorial seat is currently held by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, elected in 2023.

A lawyer and former governorship aspirant, Akpoti-Uduaghan is the first woman to represent the district in the Senate.

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