Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has formally announced his intention to contest the Kogi Central Senatorial seat in 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 community stakeholders from across the senatorial district.
A video shared on Bello’s verified Facebook page on Monday showed the former governor addressing the gathering.
“I accept to run for the Senate in 2027,” Bello said.
Also present at the event was the current Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, alongside other political leaders and community figures.
According to a report from Peoples Daily, Governor Ododo appealed to Bello to heed calls from party leaders and constituents who want him to represent Kogi Central at the National Assembly.
The appeal was reportedly made in the presence of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland and other influential figures from the area.
Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, is widely regarded as a major power broker within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
The Kogi Central Senatorial seat is currently occupied by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was elected in 2023. A lawyer and former governorship aspirant, Akpoti-Uduaghan made history as the first woman to represent the district in the Senate.
With Yahaya Bello now officially in the race, political attention is expected to intensify in Kogi Central as alignments begin to take shape ahead of the 2027 elections.
