ABUJA, NIGERIA – Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has officially entered the 2027 electoral race, indicating his interest in representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The declaration took place at his Abuja residence on Saturday, May 2, 2026, where Bello received the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial nomination forms. The forms were reportedly purchased and presented to him by various women’s groups from the district who visited the former governor to urge his return to public service.
This move sets the stage for one of the most fiercely contested senatorial battles in the country. Bello is positioned to challenge the incumbent, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whose 2023 victory remains a landmark event in Kogi politics.
Legal Shadow Over the Candidacy
Despite the high-profile declaration, Bello remains entangled in severe legal challenges. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has repeatedly identified the former governor as a financial criminal in its ongoing prosecution for alleged money laundering and misappropriation of state funds.
The anti-graft agency is pursuing charges involving billions of naira, alleging that funds were diverted through proxies to acquire luxury properties in Abuja and Dubai. While the commission has previously declared him wanted for economic crimes, his trial remains active in the Federal High Court.
A Rivalry Renewed
Accepting the forms, the former governor expressed gratitude to the groups, stating that his decision to run was driven by a desire to provide a strong voice for his constituents at the National Assembly.
Political analysts suggest that Bello’s entry into the race will dramatically shift the dynamics in Kogi State, as both he and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan command significant influence within the central senatorial zone. The upcoming contest is widely seen as a rematch of the long-standing political rivalry that has defined the region’s politics for years.
The APC leadership in Kogi State has yet to release an official statement regarding the development, but supporters of the former governor have already begun mobilizing across the five local government areas of Kogi Central.
