Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Kogi Central, setting the stage for a fiercely contested 2027 Senate race against incumbent Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Bello secured a landslide victory in the APC primary held on Monday, May 18, 2026, across the five local government areas of the district—Okene, Adavi, Okehi, Ajaokuta, and Ogori/Magongo defeating his challengers with a wide margin.
The APC Returning Officer, Sadiq Mohammed, announced that Bello polled 72,399 votes, while his closest rivals, Ibrahim Adoke and Momoh Yusuf Obaro, scored 319 and 188 votes respectively.
The result formally positions Bello for a rematch of one of Kogi Central’s most closely watched political rivalries, as he is expected to face Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who made history in 2023 as the first woman elected to represent the district in the Senate.
The contest revives long-standing political tensions between both figures, who have previously clashed publicly over allegations and counter-allegations of political interference and defamation. Court rulings and political disputes in recent years have further deepened divisions within the state’s political landscape.
However, Bello’s emergence comes amid continued public scrutiny over ongoing corruption allegations linked to his time as governor. The former governor is currently standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja on an 19-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering involving N80.2 billion, alongside a separate case at the FCT High Court involving alleged financial misconduct totaling over N110 billion.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleges that the funds were diverted through bureau de change operators and used for luxury property acquisitions and other personal expenditures, allegations Bello has consistently denied.
The cases have continued in court, with proceedings marked by multiple adjournments, procedural objections, and cross-examinations of prosecution witnesses.
Civil society observers have raised broader concerns about the intersection of ongoing criminal trials and political candidacy, arguing that such situations place additional pressure on Nigeria’s anti-graft institutions and the integrity of the electoral process.
Meanwhile, political analysts say the APC primary outcome has reshaped the political dynamics in Kogi Central, setting up one of the most closely watched senatorial contests ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With both candidates commanding strong political followings, the forthcoming election is expected to be highly competitive, reflecting deeper rivalries within Kogi State’s evolving political structure.
