Former Kogi State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Kogi Central Senatorial District, Yahaya Adoza Bello, has expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will win Kogi State in the 2027 presidential election. Bello made the declaration during his homecoming in Kogi Central, where a large crowd of supporters gathered to welcome him back to the state. The former governor said the reception further strengthened his belief that the APC remains firmly rooted across Kogi State, particularly in Kogi Central.
Bello said he had never doubted the loyalty of his supporters or their commitment to the APC, adding that the turnout at the homecoming was evidence of the strong relationship between him and the people. “I have never doubted that my people are with me 100 per cent. I have never doubted that my people are supporting APC 100 per cent,” Bello said. He also expressed confidence in the continued support of Kogi residents for President Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, saying the people understood the direction of the APC-led administrations at both the federal and state levels.
Bello, who is seeking election to the Senate to represent Kogi Central, said he expected voters to support him and other APC candidates in the forthcoming elections. According to him, the party has demonstrated commitment to infrastructure development and the delivery of democratic dividends to Nigerians. He also described the large turnout at his homecoming as a spontaneous show of support rather than a gathering organised through inducement.
The former governor thanked God, the APC, President Tinubu, Governor Ododo and party members at different levels for their support. He said the gathering demonstrated the strength of the APC’s political structure and grassroots presence in the state. Bello subsequently gave a strong assurance of support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, saying the APC was positioned to secure victory in Kogi State.
Bello's comments came as political parties and opposition groups continue preparations for the 2027 general elections, with discussions over possible alliances and a single opposition candidate also gaining attention. The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, recently said the opposition coalition involving groups such as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other parties was primarily aimed at challenging President Tinubu and the APC at the next election.
Baba-Ahmed said the PRP was already preparing its campaign structure while studying the political environment ahead of the polls. He acknowledged that the PRP did not have the financial resources of the APC but said the party would rely on its political structure, candidates and relationships with other opposition groups. Discussions among opposition parties have included consultations involving the ADC, NDC, PRP, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The proposed alliance has raised questions over how the presidential ambitions of different parties and candidates would eventually be reconciled. Baba-Ahmed said the PRP had not closed the door on any possible arrangement, including the possibility of supporting another candidate if negotiations produced a consensus. The party would announce its presidential campaign council soon, adding that the party was more concerned about creating an effective campaign structure than matching other parties in the timing of their announcements.
Key points
- Yahaya Bello expresses confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will win Kogi State in the 2027 presidential election.
- The APC is positioned to secure victory in Kogi State, according to Yahaya Bello.
- Opposition parties, including the PRP, are preparing for the 2027 general elections and discussing possible alliances.
