Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders, Stakeholders, Youths and Women Rally Behind Senate Bid, Promise Massive Support Across Okene
The political landscape in Okene Local Government Area received a major boost on Wednesday as thousands of residents, grassroots leaders, youths, women, party loyalists and community stakeholders trooped out in a massive show of solidarity for former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
The reception, which drew supporters from different communities and wards across the local government, was more than a homecoming. It became a powerful grassroots mobilisation, with supporters openly declaring their readiness to stand behind Bello in his bid to represent Kogi Central in the Senate.
From community leaders to ward-level political actors and ordinary residents, the message was consistent: Bello remains firmly connected to the grassroots, and Okene is prepared to play a decisive role in the 2027 political contest.
Traditional rulers, community leaders and political stakeholders who received the former governor praised his relationship with the people and recalled various interventions credited to his administration across Okene and Kogi Central.
They maintained that political support should be earned through a leader’s relationship with the people, accessibility and record of service, stressing that Bello had demonstrated these qualities during his years in public office.
The stakeholders also appealed to APC members to put aside internal differences and strengthen the party from the ward level upward.
According to them, victory at the polls would not be achieved merely through political structures but through direct engagement with voters in every community, ward and polling unit.
They therefore charged party leaders, youths and women to take ownership of the mobilisation and ensure that the enthusiasm witnessed during Bello’s visit translates into effective grassroots organisation.
Addressing the enthusiastic crowd, Bello thanked the people of Okene for the overwhelming reception and reaffirmed his commitment to the unity and progress of Ebiraland.
He declared that “Ebiraland is one,” urging the people to reject division and remain united in the pursuit of peace, development and political progress.
The former governor stressed that development could only thrive where there was peace, calling on residents to protect the relative stability of Okene and resist attempts to create unnecessary tension among the people.
Bello also urged residents to look beyond political rhetoric and assess leaders by their records and tangible achievements.
He appealed to APC supporters to remain united, respect one another and work collectively to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
He equally called for continued support for the administration of Governor Usman Ododo, while urging political leaders to put the interests of the people above personal disagreements.
The political temperature rose further as supporters pledged to take the message of Bello’s candidacy to the grassroots.
Leaders and supporters declared their readiness to mobilise across the wards, communities and polling units of Okene, describing the former governor’s senatorial ambition as a project that requires collective ownership.
They promised to engage voters directly, reminding residents of Bello’s record in office and urging them to support what they described as continuity of effective representation for Kogi Central.
For the supporters, the reception was not simply about welcoming a former governor home. It was an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of the grassroots network behind his political ambition.
The gathering ended with renewed calls for unity, loyalty and grassroots mobilisation, as supporters expressed confidence that the political structure being built across Okene would translate into a strong showing at the polls.
The message from Okene was unmistakable: the wards are mobilising, the communities are talking, and the grassroots are positioning themselves for the 2027 political battle.
With the former governor’s Senate ambition now generating increasing grassroots activity, Okene appears set to remain a major political theatre in the unfolding contest for Kogi Central.
