- Traditional Rulers, Stakeholders Endorse Senate Bid; Declare Okehi Will Turn Bello’s Election into a Referendum
The people of Okehi Local Government Area on Saturday gave former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, a rousing homecoming reception as thousands of supporters, traditional rulers, political leaders, youths and women turned out in their numbers to welcome him to Okehi.
The massive turnout, which further underscored Bello’s strong grassroots presence in Okehi, was marked by prayers, commendations and an overwhelming endorsement of his bid to represent Kogi Central in the Senate.
At the palace of the Ohi of Ihima, HRH Alhaji Ahmed Ogido Abdulraheem, the traditional council praised the former governor for what it described as significant contributions to the development of Ihima and Okehi Local Government.
The Ohi described Bello as a unifier and development-focused leader, commending his administration’s investments in infrastructure and human capital development across the area.
Also speaking, the Obobanyi of Ohiowa, HRH Dr. Jimoh Eneji Ahmed, PhD, who led Bello to the palace of the Ohi of Ihima, described the former governor as a “proud son,” recalling their relationship dating back to Bello’s days at Ahmadu Bello University.
The traditional ruler prayed for Bello’s success and urged him to continue carrying Ihima and the entire Okehi community along without discrimination.
He declared that the Senate would only be a stepping stone in Bello’s political journey, expressing confidence that the former governor has the capacity to rise beyond the Senate and become the first Ebira President of Nigeria.
He also charged Bello’s supporters and political associates to stand firmly behind him, saying the responsibility of supporting his political journey belongs to everyone who believes in his leadership.
Similarly, Rt. Hon. A.K. Salihu declared that Bello’s support in Okehi was deeply rooted in the development witnessed during his administration.
He urged the people to compare the state of infrastructure and human development in the area before Bello’s administration with the progress recorded during his tenure, insisting that the former governor had done enough to earn the people’s continued confidence.
Responding to the overwhelming reception, Yahaya Bello expressed appreciation to the traditional rulers, political leaders, stakeholders, support groups and the entire people of Okehi for what he described as a grand and emotional homecoming.
Bello reaffirmed that “Ebiraland is one”, describing Okehi as one of the great local government areas of Kogi Central.
He called for greater unity, harmony and peaceful coexistence among the Ebira people, stressing that development can only thrive where peace and collective purpose exist.
The former governor noted that he had visited Ihima twice within the last four months and was returning again following his emergence as the APC Senatorial candidate to appreciate the people for their continued support and to seek their renewed backing for himself and all APC candidates in the forthcoming general election.
According to him, Okehi has built a reputation for peace and political maturity, urging residents to preserve that tradition.
“A peaceful area attracts development,” Bello told the gathering, while calling on the people to reject anything capable of threatening the peace and unity of the community.
Bello also urged the people to focus on “the reality of what we have achieved in the last 10 years”, rather than being distracted by what he described as lies, deceit and political manipulation.
He called for continued support for the administration of Governor Usman Ododo, while charging political leaders in Okehi to put aside differences, unite and work towards a common political and developmental objective.
The climax of the visit was the collective declaration of support for Bello by the people of Okehi.
In a resounding show of solidarity, stakeholders and supporters declared that the former governor’s senatorial election would be turned into a referendum on his leadership, record and relationship with the people.
They pledged to mobilise voters across the local government and expressed confidence that the APC would secure victory across the polling units in Okehi.
The message from Ihima was therefore clear: Okehi has not forgotten the past, the people are watching the present, and the political direction for 2027 is already taking shape.
