Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has called on the people of Ebiraland and Kogi Central to unite, saying unity remains the strongest foundation for sustaining development, political relevance and the collective progress of the people.
Bello made the call at the birthday celebration of Hon. Moses Ado Okino, where he featured as the Special Guest of Honour, while reflecting on the transformation of Kogi Central and the political journey of the people.
Bello recalled the relatively limited political representation and government presence Kogi Central experienced before his administration.
According to him, Kogi Central, despite having five local government areas, once had fewer than three commissioners and only a handful of directors and senior government officials occupying strategic positions across ministries and government agencies.
He noted that the situation has changed significantly, with Kogi Central now producing a sizeable number of commissioners, directors, special advisers and other senior government officials occupying important positions and contributing to the governance and development of the state.
Bello stressed that the progress achieved over the years should not be taken for granted.
“Kogi Central has come too far to be going backward now. We must protect what we have built and continue to work together for greater development.”
The former governor urged Ebira people to put aside political differences and personal interests, emphasizing that political affiliation should never become a reason for division among the people.
He said individuals are free to belong to different political parties, but should not lose sight of the political platform that, in his view, gave Kogi Central greater recognition and opened new opportunities for its people.
Bello particularly credited the All Progressives Congress (APC) with what he described as a historic transformation in the political standing of Ebiraland.
“APC has blessed Ebiraland. APC gave Ebira people recognition. We should never abandon the party that remembered us when others rejected us,” he said.
He maintained that the political visibility and opportunities now enjoyed by people from Kogi Central were products of sustained political participation and strategic engagement, urging the people to preserve their unity and political relevance.
Yahaya Bello further called on the people of Ebiraland to continue supporting the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo, describing him as “our own” and stressing that his success is a collective success of the people.
According to him, “The governor is our own. His failure is a failure of all of us, and his wins is our shared pride. Guarding him jealously is our responsibility and collective duty.”
Bello urged the people to rally around the governor and give him the necessary support to succeed, stressing that the interest of the people must remain above individual political differences.
He also emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong relationship between the state and the Federal Government, noting that no governor can thrive effectively without the support of the government at the centre.
“No Governor can thrive well without the help of the government at the center. We must also ensure to support the President and vote for him massively, including all the APC candidates in the zone and my own senatorial bid,” he said.
The former governor called on traditional leaders, political stakeholders, youths, women and community leaders to promote peace and cooperation across Ebiraland, stressing that development thrives where people are united around a common purpose.
He warned against allowing political disagreements to destroy the collective gains of the region.
Bello further urged the people to recognize and celebrate what he described as the leadership destiny of the Ebira people.
“God has crowned Ebira a heart of leadership, let’s celebrate it and bring more development into our land,” he said.
For Bello, the message is simple: politics may divide people temporarily, but development requires unity.
As Kogi Central continues to seek greater representation, economic opportunities and infrastructural development, he urged the people to remain united, politically conscious and committed to protecting the progress already achieved.
“We can belong to different political parties, but we must remain one people. Our unity is our strength, and it is the only thing that can take Ebiraland further,” Bello said.
