- Ex-gov: ‘Kogi election is as good as done for APC’
KOGI — Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on Friday received supporters and All Progressives Congress, APC, stakeholders in Kogi Central as he returned to the district ahead of the 2027 senatorial election.
The homecoming attracted supporters from the five local government areas that make up Kogi Central, with party members gathering to welcome the former governor and APC senatorial candidate.
Bello emerged as the APC candidate for Kogi Central Senatorial District after winning the party’s May 18, 2026 primary with 72,399 votes. Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke scored 319 votes, while Momoh Yusuf Obaro polled 188 votes.
However, Bello’s emergence is being challenged in court by Obaro, who is seeking to nullify the primary result. The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed November 19, 2026, for judgment in the matter.
Speaking at the homecoming, former Kogi State APC Chairman and former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Abdullahi Bello, described the turnout as a demonstration of support 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,” he said.
Abdullahi said APC members in Kogi Central were prepared for the 2027 election and expressed confidence in the party’s support base in the district.
“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.
He added that APC members across the five local government areas would mobilise support for Bello.
“APC is 100 per cent prepared to vote Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello to the Red Chamber come next year,” he said.
The former chairman also attributed the support for Bello to what he described as achievements recorded during his tenure as governor, particularly in the areas of security and infrastructure.
According to him, the district had experienced violent conflicts in the past, but he said the situation improved during Bello’s tenure.
“Before now, especially 2007 and 2008, this Central used to be a battlefield, burning of houses and killing of innocent people. But the coming of Alhaji Yahaya Bello put an end to all that,” he said.
Other constituents who spoke at the event also expressed support for the former governor and pledged to mobilise for his senatorial bid.
Responding, Bello thanked the people for the reception, describing the turnout as “organic,” “inborn” and “inherent.”
Speaking to journalists at the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebira Land, Bello expressed confidence in the support of the people of Kogi Central for the APC and its candidates in the 2027 elections.
“I have never doubted that my people are with me 100%. I have never doubted that my people are supporting APC 100%. I have never doubted that my people will support and vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu 100%. I have never doubted that my people are with my governor, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo 100%,” he said.
On his senatorial ambition, Bello said he believed the people were aware of what he described as the APC’s contributions to infrastructure and development in the state.
“I have never doubted that my people are going to vote myself as the senator representing Kogi Central and all of our other candidates on the platform of All Progressives Congress because they know very well what this party has done to liberate our people and bring infrastructure to the people and ensure that dividend of democracy is delivered to our people,” he said.
Bello also expressed confidence in the APC’s prospects in the state, saying, “Kogi State is 100% APC and APC is Kogi State 100%.”
He added: “I want to assure Mr President that Kogi State election is done and Kogi Central in particular is as good as done 100% for APC.”
The homecoming marked a public show of support for Bello among APC stakeholders and supporters in Kogi Central as political activities ahead of the 2027 senatorial election intensify.
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