Yahaya Bello Senate bid gathers pace in Kogi Central as APC consultations deepen and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan considers her platform
Yahaya Bello, former Governor of Kogi State, has unfolded plans to seek election to the Senate for Kogi Central District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, intensifying consultations and mobilisation ahead of the party primary.
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The development has stirred political calculations across the district, where Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is also positioning for a possible return to the upper chamber.
The senator’s platform, however, remains uncertain pending the outcome of litigation arising from the protracted leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party.
If cleared to contest under the PDP, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is expected to mount a strong challenge.
Political observers say an alternative platform, including the African Democratic Congress, may be considered should internal disputes persist.
Within the APC, the Yahaya Bello Senate bid is gaining momentum as supporters rally across local government areas.
Bello governed Kogi State from January 2016 to January 2024, assuming office following the death of Prince Abubakar Audu after the 2015 governorship election.
Opinion remains divided over Bello’s eight-year tenure.
Allies describe the administration as transformational, pointing to infrastructure expansion, healthcare investments and educational reforms.
Critics, however, argue that aspects of the period were controversial and continue to attract scrutiny.
Supporters in Kogi Central credit the former governor with extensive road rehabilitation across Lokoja, Anyigba, Kabba and Idah, alongside urban renewal projects aimed at improving commerce and public services.
Others highlight the establishment of the Reference Hospital in Okene and the creation of state-owned universities, including Confluence University of Science and Technology in Osara and Kogi State University in Kabba.
Advocates also cite revenue reforms, agricultural initiatives such as the Confluence Rice Mill in Ejiba, and expanded security infrastructure as hallmarks of Bello’s governance philosophy.
However, the former governor’s ongoing legal battles with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission continue to generate debate.
Some supporters dismiss the allegations as politically motivated, while opponents insist accountability must run its full course.
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As party primaries draw closer, the Yahaya Bello Senate bid sets the stage for what could become a fiercely contested race in Kogi Central, with both established political structures and shifting party dynamics likely to shape the outcome.
