Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has formally declared his intention to contest the Kogi Central Senatorial seat ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, marking his return to active electoral politics after leaving office.
Bello made the declaration on Monday, December 29, 2025, during a courtesy visit to the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, the paramount traditional ruler of the Ebira ethnic nationality in Kogi State, a North Central state in Nigeria. The meeting brought together traditional rulers, religious leaders, political stakeholders, and community representatives from across the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
A video recording of the visit, which later circulated widely online, was shared on Bello’s verified Facebook page, confirming his acceptance of the call to seek a seat in Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber. Addressing the gathering, the former governor stated plainly, “I accept to run for the Senate in 2027.”
Okay News reports that the declaration followed weeks of consultations and growing calls from political leaders and constituents within the district, urging Bello to represent Kogi Central at the National Assembly, Nigeria’s federal legislature based in Abuja, the country’s capital city.
Present at the palace event was the current Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, who succeeded Bello after the 2023 governorship election. Ododo was accompanied by several political figures and community leaders from the state.
According to accounts from the gathering, Governor Ododo appealed to his predecessor to heed the demands of party leaders and supporters who believe Bello’s experience would strengthen the district’s voice at the Senate. The appeal was made in the presence of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland and other influential figures from the Ebira-speaking areas of the state.
Yahaya Bello served as Governor of Kogi State from 2016 to 2024 and remains one of the most prominent figures within the All Progressives Congress, Nigeria’s ruling political party, particularly in Kogi State.
In a related development, the Chairman of Okehi Local Government Area, Amoka Eneji, congratulated Bello on his decision to seek the senatorial seat. Eneji reportedly praised the former governor’s role in promoting unity and development among the Ebira people, adding that Bello’s leadership legacy would continue to be remembered in the history of Ebiraland.
The Kogi Central Senatorial seat is currently held by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was elected in 2023. Akpoti-Uduaghan, a Nigerian lawyer and former governorship aspirant, made history as the first woman to represent the district in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
