It is a fact that Alhaji Yahaya Bello ruffled a lot of feathers while he held sway in Lugard House as Governor of Kogi State. His emergence as Governor in 2016 altered traditional political calculations that left many in the quandary till date.
Part of the political tradition was to have many actors patronizing the dominant parties – one in daytime and the other at night. With this, they are guaranteed of staying afloat whichever way the pendulum swings. In 2003, when Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, won the election, not a few appointees of the previous administration walked freely into his cabinet and “continued their game seamlessly”. However, these traditional politicians lost out in the November 2015 governorship election after Prince Abubakar Audu of All Progressives Congress passed on and then incumbent Captain Idris Wada lost. So, Bello’s emergence disrupted the usual game in Kogi politics.
Pundits speculated that the young turks that the Yahaya Bello administration popped up as new leaders across the state will not stand the test of time but they held on for eight solid years without faltering.
Then came 2023 succession race. Not a few believed Yahaya Bello will fizzle out after his tenure as Governor. However, two years on, he has not just remained a strong factor in Kogi politics, but the main factor. This may not make some persons comfortable but the truth is Yahaya Bello is currently the main factor in Kogi. No single politician can boast of the support base, structure and goodwill Yahaya Bello enjoys in Kogi today.
Interrogating the Yahaya Bello phenomenon, we engaged some prominent public figures across the state. We gathered that aside the physical projects and sundry achievements while he was in office as Governor, some salient points defined his persona and made it difficult, if not impossible, to erase Yahaya Bello’s impact in Kogi state.
Popular media commentator and Olamaboro-born politician, Emmanuel Promise, says beyond lip service, Alhaji Yahaya Bello stabilized Kogi polity, away from the control of territorial thugs and non-state actors.
This, Promise said, made him a feared Governor in terms of insecurity as his body language and actions kept the state stable and insulated from both political and physical instability.
“As a politically smart person, he understands organization; he has a knack of gathering men who knows the job, can do the job and are loyal to him without season. Haven crashed the hegemony hold of yesteryear political merchants who were relative expired politicians, he planted young people at the foreground of his political dynasty which has demonstrated his relevance and lifespan politically after leaving office.
“He produced his successor, for many politicians, that is a feat only tough and intelligent politicians can achieve, haven done this, he understands the principles of boundaries, hence, has been able to manage his relationship with his successor without rocking the boat. The ingredients of political success is in actions and inactions, for now, he is getting it right. If he goes ahead to also suture his relationship with some of his past allies, he is relatively the modern architect of Kogi politics with reproductive relevance,” Promise, popularly known as Kogi Rebel, said.
A former Chairman of Ijumu Local Government Area, Hon. Fehinti Dada said though the early administration of the former Governor brought hardship on the people through the screening exercise, he left the state better than he met it.
Hon. Dada noted that the former Governor performed creditably in human Capital development especially engagement of youths and women in government.
According to him, one of the best achievements of Former Governor Yahaya Bello is the choice of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo as his successor, saying his choice is the best gift to the people.
On his part, an Entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of Eagles Engineering Earth Service Limited, Chief David Sunday Oni described Yahaya Bello as the Architect of Modern Kogi State, who came to reposition and uplift the living standards of youths.
Chief Sunday said the youths of Kogi State will never forget the fact that he made the young generation 80 per cent of his administration and also made judicious use of local contractors.
The entrepreneur and philanthropist added that the former Governor as an humanitarian made significant impact on the state and country, saying he proved to be youthful, resourceful and useful.
A young and promising politician from Okehi local government, Hon. Matthew James Avabee advanced reasons for Yahaya Bello’s enduring relevance.
Avabee said the former Governor’s promotion of unity among all ethnic groups in the state endeared him to many.
“In promoting unity and inclusiveness, Bello’s administration emphasized equitable distribution of projects and appointments across the three senatorial districts. By encouraging religious and ethnic balance in governance, his government fostered a stronger sense of belonging among the diverse ethnic groups in the state, contributing to political stability and social cohesion.
“During his eight years in office, Bello prioritized infrastructure development, youth empowerment, education reform, healthcare improvement, revenue growth, and the strengthening of unity among Kogi East, Central, and West.
“In infrastructure, his administration constructed and rehabilitated major roads across Lokoja, Okene, Kabba, Ankpa, Olamaboro and other parts of the state. These projects improved rural-urban connectivity, boosted commercial activities, and eased transportation for farmers, traders, students, and civil servants. Township roads and strategic bridges reduced travel time and opened up previously underserved communities for economic participation, directly supporting local businesses and agricultural value chains.
“In education, the government built new and renovated public primary and secondary schools, supplied thousands of desks and learning materials, and recruited teachers to strengthen classroom delivery. The establishment of two new state owned Universities and expansion of tertiary education created more admission spaces for Kogi youths, reducing the pressure on families seeking opportunities outside the state, Payment of examination fees for students in public schools helped improve enrollment, retention, and academic progression, contributing to a stronger educational foundation for the next generation.
“On youth empowerment, Bello’s administration gave young people significant representation in governance by appointing many into key political and administrative offices, providing them with leadership exposure and decision-making experience. Agricultural empowerment programmes supported young farmers with inputs, mechanized tools, and training. Initiatives around the Confluence Rice Mill stimulated agro-processing, created jobs, and strengthened local production capacity, enhancing food security and economic self-reliance.
“In healthcare, the upgrading of general hospitals and the development of the Reference Hospital Okene improved access to modern medical services within the state. These improvements reduced the need for residents to travel outside Kogi for specialized treatment. Recruitment of health professionals and improved facilities strengthened service delivery and enhanced overall healthcare outcomes.
“On revenue generation, reforms in tax administration and internal revenue systems strengthened the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, reducing overdependence on federal allocation. Payroll verification and accountability measures were introduced to block leakages, sanitize the civil service system, and promote financial discipline. These fiscal reforms created Jobs and more stable platform for funding development projects.
“Overall, the eight-year tenure of Yahaya Adoza Bello focused on building infrastructure, strengthening human capital, empowering youths, improving healthcare delivery, reforming revenue systems, and promoting unity initiatives aimed at positioning Kogi State for sustained development and opportunity for future generations,” Avabee said.
For Hon. Muktar Bajeh, the people of Kogi state will continue to cherish Bello because of the transformative changes witnessed during his administration.
Speaking on the administration’s achievements, Hon. Muktar Bajeh, former Chief Whip and Member representing Okehi Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly (KGHA), highlighted what he described as a focused and people-oriented leadership that improved the quality of life for citizens.
According to Hon. Bajeh, the Bello administration recorded remarkable progress in infrastructure, education, agriculture, healthcare, and security.
“The administration undertook massive infrastructural renewal across the three senatorial districts, including: Construction and rehabilitation of major highways, completion of the iconic Ganaja Flyover — the state’s first major urban flyover, extensive upgrade of township roads in Lokoja metropolis, expansion of rural feeder roads connecting farming communities, and construction of strategic bridges to enhance intra-state mobility,” he said.
Bajeh noted that the former Governor’s free education policy was a masterstroke.
“Education received unprecedented attention, with nearly 30% of the state budget allocated to the sector. Key milestones include: establishment of Confluence University of Science and Technology, establishment of Kogi State University, Kabba, introduction of the Kogi State Education Strategic Plan (SESP), construction and rehabilitation of over 600 basic education schools, establishment of GYB Model Science Secondary Schools, implementation of free education from primary to secondary levels, payment of WAEC, NECO, and JAMB examination fees for students,” Bajeh stated.
The former lawmaker said the Yahaya Bello-led administration strengthened food production and agribusiness development through distribution of mechanized farming equipment, establishment of cluster farming settlements, launch of the Kogi Confluence Rice Mill, support for cassava processing initiatives, expansion of fisheries and aquaculture programs, provision of farm inputs and improved seedlings.
He said residents of Kogi state cannot forget that the Yahaya Bello administration drastically reduced kidnapping, armed robbery and insurgent activities, with Kogi often cited as one of the safer states during his tenure.
Hon. Muktar Bajeh emphasized that these achievements reflect a deliberate and sustained commitment to repositioning Kogi State for growth, stability, and long-term development.
For Dr. Abdulmumin Danga, when the story of modern Kogi State is told, the period between 2016 and 2024 will be remembered as a defining phase of infrastructure renewal, institutional growth, and inclusive governance under Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello.
Danga, a former commissioner in the state, said before 2016 Kogi state faced serious developmental setbacks—decaying infrastructure, abandoned projects, weak healthcare access, inactive waterworks such as the Okene Water Scheme (dormant since 1987), poor road connectivity, youth unemployment, and limited expansion in higher education.
“Despite its strategic location as the Confluence State, much of its potential remained underutilized,” he said.
He praised the former governor for expanding access to higher education by strengthening Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba and the establishment of both Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) and Kogi State University, Kabba.
“From infrastructure and healthcare to education and inclusion, the 2016–2024 administration marked a period of visible structural development in Kogi State.
“Leadership may attract debate, but impact remains measurable. Within those eight years, significant projects were initiated and completed—leaving a footprint that continues to shape the development narrative of the Confluence State.”
