Yahaya Bello Returns As Stakeholders Pledge Support

Kogi Central Senatorial District yesterday welcomed former Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, at a  reception by indigenes of the region and the supporters of All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 Kogi Central Senatorial election.

The homecoming, which attracted a huge crowd across the district, was marked by colourful displays, chants and enthusiastic supporters who trooped out in large numbers to welcome the former governor and APC senatorial candidate.

Yahaya Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, emerged as the APC candidate for the Kogi Central Senate seat after winning the party’s May 2026 senatorial primary.

They enumerated some of the legacy projects of Bello when he governed the state, declaring that the senatorial hopeful is naturally loved by the entire residents of Kogi, even years after meritoriously completing his two term of office.

Many stakeholders and residents across Kogi Central who led constituents to welcome Bello vowed to further demonstrate their gratitude for the “good works” of the former governor by voting him massively next year.

Speaking during the event, former Kogi State APC chairman and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy, Hon. Abdullahi Bello, described the reception as a demonstration of the affection and confidence the people of Kogi Central have for the former governor.

“This is the homecoming of a leader that liberated the whole Ebiraland, and we all trooped out to welcome him. It is not an easy thing. We love him and we have to demonstrate that,” Abdullahi Bello said.

He declared that the APC structure in Kogi Central was fully prepared for the forthcoming election, stressing that the district remained a stronghold of the party.

“I will not flatter you with words, but obviously, as you can see for yourself, Ebiraland, Kogi Central, is the home of the All Progressives Congress. APC is here. APC lives here. We preach APC,” he said.

According to him, the massive crowd witnessed during the homecoming was not merely a political gathering but an indication of the level of acceptance he said Bello enjoys among the people.

He expressed confidence that APC members and supporters across the five local government areas of Kogi Central would mobilise behind Bello at the polls, saying, “APC is 100 per cent prepared to vote Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello to the Red Chamber come next year.”

Bello’s emergence as the APC flag bearer followed a direct primary in which he was declared winner with 72,399 votes across the district.

He said: “The era of using professional influence or advantage, I think, is over. The law will put an end to that when you beat a candidate mercilessly with a very clear margin. Then I think you’ll learn some lessons, and that is going to happen in this election.”

Addressing the overwhelming crowd that welcomed the former governor, the former APC chairman said he was not surprised by the turnout, insisting that Bello’s political appeal cuts across age and gender.

“I am not surprised because Alhaji Yahaya Bello has done so much to the extent that every Ebira, both young and old, man and woman, they so much believe in him. Even if you hear his name, you just have to join the queue,” he said.

He further claimed that the message of the APC campaign was already resonating with party members and supporters across the district.