Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has announced his intention to contest the Kogi Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections, setting the stage for a high-profile political contest with the incumbent lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Bello made the declaration during a visit to the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, where he met with traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders from the senatorial district. A video of the visit, in which he formally accepted to run, was later shared on his verified Facebook page.
“I accept to run for the Senate in 2027,” Bello told the gathering.
The Kogi Central seat is currently held by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who was elected in 2023. Her victory was historic, as she became the first female senator from Kogi State.
Bello served as governor of Kogi State from 2016 to 2024 and remains an influential figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Reacting to Bello’s ambition, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has expressed confidence, insisting she is not intimidated by the former governor. Speaking on the Mic On Podcast, the senator said she is prepared to face Bello if both appear on the ballot in 2027.
“If by any choice I make up my mind and I’m on the ballot and ex-Governor Yahaya Bello is on the ballot, then I would say bring it on,” she said. “Scared of who? He’s not my nightmare; rather, I’m his political nightmare.”
The senator also touched on controversies surrounding her constituency projects, reiterating her claim that some of her projects were removed, though she did not directly name those responsible.
With Bello’s declaration and Akpoti-Uduaghan’s defiant response, the Kogi Central senatorial contest is already shaping up as one of the most keenly watched races ahead of the 2027 elections.
