Political fireworks are set to explode in Kogi Central as former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has officially thrown his hat into the ring for the Kogi Central Senatorial seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Bello made the declaration during a visit to the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, where he met with traditional rulers, religious leaders and influential stakeholders from across the district.
The moment was later shared in a video posted on his verified Facebook page on Monday.
“I accept to run for the Senate in 2027,” the former governor said.
The declaration immediately reignited memories of the bitter political rivalry between Bello and the incumbent senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, setting the stage for what many observers describe as a looming political showdown.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, was present at the palace alongside other political heavyweights and community leaders.
According to Peoples Daily, Ododo appealed to Bello to heed calls from party leaders and constituents urging him to represent Kogi Central at the National Assembly.
The appeal was reportedly made before the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland and other influential figures.
Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, remains one of the most powerful figures within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, and his re-entry into elective politics has instantly altered the political calculations ahead of 2027.
Backing the move, Kogi Watch reported that the Chairman of Okehi Local Government Area, Amoka Eneji, congratulated Bello for declaring his ambition, praising his role in promoting unity and development among the Ebira people and describing his leadership as historically significant.
The Kogi Central Senatorial seat is currently occupied by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, elected in 2023, who made history as the first woman to represent the district in the Senate.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is seen as Bello’s arch-rival, with their political relationship long characterised by tension and confrontation.
Before her eventual victory, her ambition reportedly faced fierce opposition.
MUK TV reports that one such incident was when the former governor allegedly excavated the road leading to the senator’s hometown in a bid to prevent her access during the 2019 elections.
With Bello’s declaration, Kogi Central appears set for another bruising political contest, as old rivalries resurface and the battle for 2027 begins in earnest.
