The Kogi Central Senatorial District was abuzz with excitement on Friday as former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, returned home to a massive reception by indigenes of the region and All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters. 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. This development is seen as a significant show of support for Bello ahead of the 2027 Kogi Central Senatorial election.
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 with 72,399 votes across the district. During his tenure as governor, Bello implemented several legacy projects that have endeared him to the people of Kogi State. 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.
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. 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. Abdullahi Bello expressed confidence that APC members and supporters across the five local government areas of Kogi Central would mobilise behind Bello at the polls.
According to Abdullahi Bello, the massive crowd witnessed during the homecoming was not merely a political gathering but an indication of the level of acceptance Bello enjoys among the people. He linked the reception to what he described as the security situation in Kogi Central during Bello’s tenure as governor, recalling that the area had previously experienced episodes of violence and insecurity. The relative peace in the area has enabled residents to move freely and participate in political and economic activities without the level of fear associated with previous years.
Other constituents who spoke hailed the track records of Bello, promising to mobilise support for him to win with a wide margin. 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 terms of office. The constituents' endorsement of Bello is seen as a significant boost to his senatorial bid.
Responding, the former governor expressed happiness at the show of love by his people, describing the massive crowd who came to honour him as “organic” and proof that the sense of appreciation of the people of the state, especially in Kogi Central, is “inborn”. Bello emphatically stated that all the APC candidates for the 2027 general elections would emerge victorious at the polls, saying, “I have never doubted that my people are with me 100%.” He further expressed assurance that he enjoys the total support of the people of Kogi Central ahead of the Senatorial polls.
While appreciating the people for the show of love and support, Bello said, “Kogi State is 100% APC and APC is Kogi State 100%.” He sincerely appreciated his people for displaying this love and affection, and he appreciated God Almighty, our party, and the leader of our party, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The homecoming event provided a striking display of the mobilisation surrounding the former governor, with supporters turning out in large numbers to receive him as he formally reconnects with his political base ahead of the 2027 National Assembly election.
Key points
- Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello receives massive reception in Kogi Central ahead of 2027 senatorial election.
- Bello wins APC senatorial primary with 72,399 votes across the district.
- The former governor expresses confidence in winning the senatorial election with the support of his people.
