As Kogi Central gradually turns its gaze toward the 2027 general elections, one reality is clear: the district needs more than a senator; it needs a statesman—someone with the experience, influence, and vision to translate our collective aspirations into national policy and tangible development. In this regard, former Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello stands head and shoulders above the rest.
Kogi Central is a unique senatorial, rich in human and natural resources but often underrepresented in national conversation. Yahaya Bello understands the complexities of the region, our strength, our challenges, and our aspirations. In 2027, this must change. It is time for representation that is proactive, strategic, and bold. Yahaya Bello embodies these qualities.
He has listened to market women, complain about poor access to capital, he has heard youth clamour for employment and skills development, he has witnessed farmers struggle with logistics and pricing. This is not a leader removed from the people, this is a leader among the people.one of the Hallmark Yahaya Bello leadership has been his attention to youth inclusion in governance.
Yahaya Bello’s years as governor provided him with a level of executive experience that few contenders can rival. Governance at the state level is a complex balancing act—managing security, education, health, infrastructure, youth employment, and political stability all at once. Bello did not merely occupy the office; he worked within its demands and delivered initiatives that reshaped the governance culture in Kogi State.
The Senate is not a training ground; it is a forum that demands tested leadership from day one. Bello’s experience in managing a diverse and politically sensitive state has equipped him with the temperament and institutional knowledge required to function effectively in the red chamber.
Bello’s political journey has been deeply rooted in grassroots engagement across the state, including Kogi Central.
From the plight of farmers struggling with post-harvest losses to the frustrations of youths searching for sustainable livelihoods, Bello has consistently demonstrated that he is in touch with the everyday realities of the people. He understands the infrastructural deficits, the gaps in education, and the urgent need for industrial and agricultural revival across the district.
As senator, he would be well positioned to initiate bills and motions tailored to the peculiar challenges of Kogi Central, ensuring that federal policies reflect local realities.
A Bridge Between Kogi Central and the Federal Government
The Senate is fundamentally a place of negotiation, alliances, and strategic engagement. Yahaya Bello has cultivated relationships across political, regional, and institutional lines. This network is invaluable.
Kogi Central does not merely need representation; it needs influence. A senator who can pick up the phone and reach decision-makers in Abuja, who is respected within national political circles, and who understands the inner workings of federal bureaucracy is far more likely to secure meaningful projects for the district.
Bello’s years in the national political arena give him the advantage of relevance. His presence in the Senate would immediately elevate the bargaining power of Kogi Central in budgetary allocations, committee placements, and federal interventions.
One of the most enduring features of Bello’s political career has been his strong identification with youth empowerment. He has repeatedly argued that the future of governance must rest on innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology-driven growth.
Kogi Central has a large youth population, many of whom are talented but under-utilised. As senator, Bello is expected to champion legislation that promotes vocational training, digital skills acquisition, SME financing, and technology hubs across the district. Such interventions would not only reduce unemployment but also position Kogi Central as a centre of productivity and creativity.
Commitment to Security and Stability
Security remains a pressing concern in parts of Kogi State. Bello’s tenure saw the prioritisation of security partnerships and community-based interventions aimed at reducing criminality. These experiences would be invaluable in the Senate, particularly in shaping national security policies and ensuring that Kogi Central receives adequate federal support in combating insecurity.
A senator with practical exposure to security management is better equipped to contribute meaningfully to debates and policy formulation on internal security, border control, and community policing frameworks.
Legislative Potential and Policy Influence
Unlike some aspirants whose legislative ambition ends with occupying a seat, Yahaya Bello is expected to bring a reformist mindset to the Senate. His background in executive governance gives him insight into how laws are implemented—or sometimes ignored—at the state level.
This insight will shape his legislative priorities. From advocating fiscal federalism to pushing for reforms in local government autonomy, Bello’s potential contributions go beyond constituency projects. They extend into shaping policies that can strengthen Nigeria’s federal structure while ensuring that Kogi Central is not left behind.
A Unifying Force
Kogi Central is a tapestry of cultures, communities, and political sensibilities. Effective leadership here requires unity, inclusiveness, and dialogue. Bello has often portrayed himself as a consensus builder, engaging leaders across ethnic, religious, and political lines.
In a political environment that is increasingly polarised, Kogi Central needs a senator who can unify rather than divide, one who prioritises the collective good over sectional interests. Bello’s approach to leadership, anchored on consultation and engagement, positions him as such a unifying force.
Beyond politics, Bello’s senatorial ambition is tied to economic transformation. He has consistently emphasised the need to leverage agriculture, solid minerals, and small-scale manufacturing as engines of growth.
As senator, he is expected to facilitate the establishment of federal agro-processing zones, skill acquisition centres, and investment incentives that can stimulate local industries in Kogi Central. These initiatives would reduce rural-urban migration and create sustainable livelihoods for thousands of families.
The 2027 elections present Kogi Central with a rare opportunity to redefine its place in Nigeria’s political and economic map. The district needs a representative who is not only competent but visionary; not only experienced but empathetic; not only popular but influential.
Former Governor Yahaya Bello fits this description. His track record in governance, his understanding of grassroots realities, his national relevance, and his youth-centred vision make him the most compelling choice for the Senate seat in 2027.
Kogi Central deserves a senator who can turn challenges into opportunities and aspirations into achievements. In Yahaya Bello, the district finds not just a candidate, but a champion for its future.
If Bello wins a Senate seat: It proves he can still mobilize voters statewide. It shows the party base is still firmly behind him.
It silences internal APC rivals who may want to defect or sabotage.
Once that happens, the party’s national leadership will have no choice but to rely on him to deliver Kogi in the Presidential election.
Bello will then becomes Tinubu’s main gatekeeper in Kog state
Tinubu does not have deep personal political roots in Kogi. His victory there depends on: Local mobilization, grassroots structures and election-day logistics.
A sitting Senator Bello becomes the official bridge between Tinubu and the Kogi grassroots — coordinating: Ward-to-ward campaigns, delegate management, youth and women mobilization, election-day turnout operations.
A Bello Senate win will:
Demoralize PDP / opposition forces
Trigger internal defections
Reduce funding and volunteer enthusiasm for rival Presidential campaigns
In Nigerian politics, momentum is everything. Once a big political figure wins, the bandwagon effect follows.
– Ayuba Nana, a former administrator of Ankpa local government area of Kogi state, is a public affairs analyst.
