Yahaya Bello Targets Senate Comeback, Sets Stage for Kogi Showdown
Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has signaled a return to frontline politics, formally indicating interest in contesting the Kogi Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.
The development marks a significant political move for Bello, who completed his tenure as governor in 2024 and has since maintained a relatively low public profile. His renewed ambition was brought to the fore in Abuja, where women support groups purchased the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial nomination forms on his behalf and presented them to him at his residence, urging him to join the race.
The Kogi Central senatorial contest is already shaping up to be a high-stakes political battle, as Bello is expected to square off against the incumbent lawmaker, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Akpoti-Uduaghan, who won the seat in the 2023 elections after a fiercely contested poll, has since built a growing political base in the district, setting the stage for a potentially intense rematch.
Political observers note that Bello’s entry into the race could significantly alter the dynamics of the contest, given his influence within the APC and his established grassroots network across Kogi State. His tenure as governor, though marked by both loyal support and criticism, still commands attention within the state’s political landscape.
The gesture by the women groups is also being interpreted as a strategic mobilization effort aimed at projecting widespread grassroots endorsement ahead of the APC primaries. While Bello has yet to make a formal declaration speech, insiders suggest consultations are ongoing as he weighs the political permutations leading to 2027.
With both major parties likely to field strong candidates, the Kogi Central senatorial race is already emerging as one of the most closely watched contests in the build-up to the next general elections, with implications that could reshape political alignments in the state.
