Yahaya Bello declares Senate bid in bold 2027 move

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has formally declared his intention to contest the Kogi Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections, signalling a return to frontline politics barely three years after leaving office.

Bello made the declaration during a visit to the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, where he met traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders from across the senatorial district.

“I accept to run for the Senate in 2027,” Yahaya Bello told the gathering.

The visit was attended by Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, senior party figures and local government chairmen, underscoring the political weight of the declaration.

According to Peoples Daily, Governor Ododo appealed to Bello to heed calls from party leaders and constituents urging him to represent the district at the National Assembly. The appeal was reportedly made in the presence of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland and other influential figures.

Bello governed Kogi State between 2016 and 2024 and remains one of the most prominent figures within the All Progressives Congress in the state.

Reacting to the announcement, Chairman of Okehi Local Government Area Amoka Eneji congratulated Bello and described the decision as timely and welcome.

Eneji said the former governor had worked extensively for the unity and development of the Ebira people and that his leadership would remain a defining chapter in the history of Ebiraland.

The Kogi Central Senatorial seat is currently occupied by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was elected in 2023 and made history as the first woman to represent the district in the Senate.

Her tenure and Bello’s declaration now set the stage for what is likely to become one of the most closely watched senatorial contests in the state ahead of the 2027 elections.