By Ahmed Dinar Abdulmumin
As we gradually approach the 2027 Kogi Central Senatorial election, one thing is becoming increasingly clear to us, this election is not simply going to be about political parties, money, influence or the names of individuals contesting.
The 2027 Kogi Central Senatorial election is Former Governor Yahaya Bello versus the People, And when the people speak through their votes, their decision must be respected.
For me, and many others and supporters of Senator Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan, this election is going to be about the people and the leadership they want to continue with.
As former Governor Yahaya Bello has decided to contest for the Kogi Central Senate seat in 2027, we welcome him. Democracy gives everyone the right to seek the mandate of the people.
But I believe the good people of Kogi Central are not looking for someone to simply occupy the Senate seat. They are looking for a representative who understands them, listens to them, empowers them and brings meaningful development to their communities, And that is why I believe Senator Natasha has a strong case for 2027.
Before Natasha became a senator, she was already known for her advocacy, humanitarian activities and efforts to empower people. Since becoming the representative of Kogi Central in the Senate, we have seen her pursue projects that directly touched the lives of ordinary people. We have seen interventions in education, roads, water, electricity, security, and economic empowerment.
Her constituency has benefited from solar-powered water projects, road construction and streetlights. Schools have been renovated, digital learning devices have been provided, and students have received educational support and federal appointments has been given etc.
The reported deployment of 5,000 digital learning devices to public primary and secondary schools across Kogi Central is particularly significant because education is one of the most important investments we can make in the future of our children. This is the kind of representation I believe our people deserve.
What makes the good people of Kogi Central particularly proud as a supporter of Senator Natasha is her emphasis on empowerment.
Politics should not only be about sharing political positions. It should also be about helping people acquire the capacity to stand on their own. Her empowerment initiatives have reached artisans, women and young people through training, equipment and financial support. Her educational interventions have also assisted vulnerable students. When a young person receives equipment to start a business, when an artisan receives support to expand a trade, when a student receives assistance to continue an education, these are not merely political statistics. They are lives being changed.
That is why I believe the people of Kogi Central should look beyond political noise and ask themselves what kind of representation they have actually experienced.
One thing I have noticed about Senator Natasha is the relationship she has continued to maintain with the people before and after the election.
Her supporters have continued to stand by her through difficult political moments because they believe she has demonstrated commitment to them.
Even during the period when she was suspended from the Senate, her supporters continued to identify with her, while she maintained her political and constituency engagement.
To me and positive minded people, that says something important.
Political support should not be based solely on the fact that someone currently occupies an office. The real test is whether people continue to believe in you when you are facing political pressure, And Natasha has demonstrated that she is prepared to remain connected to her people even when the political environment becomes difficult.
As a senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha’s responsibility goes beyond legislative debates.
Our people need opportunities.
They need employment.
They need federal appointments.
They need access to government programmes.
They need opportunities for young people and women.
They need their voices to be heard in the National Assembly.
One of the reasons Kogi Central appreciate her representation is the belief that she has helped connect constituents to federal opportunities and appointments. For me, this is an important aspect of effective representation.
A senator should not only speak for the people, the senator should also be able to use legitimate political influence to create opportunities for qualified constituents.
When our sons and daughters gain access to federal appointments and opportunities, it strengthens the entire community.
The 2027 election will give the people of Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okehi, Okene and Ogori/Magongo another opportunity to decide who should represent them.
And I believe the people are watching.
They are watching the projects.
They are watching the empowerment programmes.
They are watching the educational interventions.
They are watching the roads and water projects.
They are watching the political battles.
They are watching who stands with them.
Most importantly, they are deciding who they trust.
No politician, no political structure and no amount of political calculations can permanently replace the voice of the electorate. If the people believe that Natasha has served them well, they have the democratic right to renew her mandate.
I believe many people across Kogi Central are already looking toward 2027 with the expectation that Senator Natasha will return to the Senate.
So, when we talk about the 2027 Kogi Central Senatorial election, I see something bigger than a contest between two politicians.
I see a contest between political ambition and the people’s decision.
I see a contest where the people will examine the records, compare the candidates and decide who deserves their trust.
If former Governor Yahaya Bello comes, let him come with his experience.
Let him come with his political structure.
Let him come with his campaign.
But Senator Natasha will come with something that cannot be manufactured overnight,
And I believe that when the people of Kogi Central finally stand before the ballot box in 2027, they will remember the roads, the water projects, the schools, the digital learning devices, the empowerment programmes, the federal government appointments, the educational support, the free WiFi across the local government and the opportunities they associate with her representation.
Senator Natasha’s style of empowerment has sparked a wider conversation, with some people comparing the scale of her interventions to what is often associated with presidential-level empowerment programmes.
Beyond the beneficiaries, her approach has also drawn attention to the strength and capacity of the Nigerian Senate. It has made many people ask what could be achieved if more senators committed themselves to transparent, sincere and impactful empowerment programmes. The broader lesson is that when elected representatives use available resources effectively to support their constituents, many more people can benefit.
For me, the message is simple:
Kogi Central deserves representation that works.
Kogi Central deserves a senator who remembers the people.
Kogi Central deserves leadership that empowers rather than merely promises.
And if the people believe Senator Natasha has provided that leadership, then 2027 should be about renewing the mandate they gave her.
– Ahmed Dinar Abdulmumin, an Activist, writes from Okene.
ahmedabdulmumuni100a@gmail.com
