The coordinator, Kogi Youths Network, Comrade Abdullahi Hakeem, has declared that former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, still commands one of the strongest grassroots political followings in the state and beyond.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Monday, the group maintained that Bello’s political relevance remains firmly rooted in ward-level structures, polling unit networks and community mobilization systems spread across the state.
According to Comr. Abdullahi Hakeem, a large percentage of Bello’s supporters are not social media-driven political commentators, but committed grassroots mobilisers who are deeply embedded within their various communities.
“Over 70 percent of those loyal to Yahaya Bello are not social media ranters. They are real grassroots politicians, community coordinators, ward mobilisers and polling unit loyalists who understand the practical realities of Nigerian politics,” the statement read.
The group argued that while many politicians depend heavily on online visibility and internet propaganda to sustain public relevance, Bello’s strength lies in physical political structures built over years of direct engagement with ordinary citizens across Kogi State.
The Kogi Youths Network further noted that Bello’s influence continues to resonate strongly among youths, women groups and local political actors because of what it described as his inclusive style of leadership during his eight years in office.
According to the group, Bello’s administration expanded political participation among young people, empowered community-based actors and maintained constant interaction with grassroots stakeholders across the three senatorial districts of the state.
The statement added that Bello’s political structure remains active in several local government areas where loyalists continue to coordinate political activities at ward and polling unit levels.
“Politics is not only fought on social media platforms. Elections are won at the grassroots, inside communities, wards and polling units. That is where Yahaya Bello remains exceptionally strong,” Comr. Hakeem stated.
The group also stressed that Bello’s enduring popularity among local political structures is connected to infrastructural projects and social intervention programmes executed during his administration, including road construction, rural electrification, educational development, healthcare rehabilitation and youth inclusion initiatives.
Political observers believe the position taken by the Kogi Youths Network reflects the continued importance of grassroots mobilization in Nigeria’s political system, particularly in states where community influence and local structures remain critical to electoral success.
The statement concluded by insisting that despite changing political dynamics and increasing social media influence in modern politics, Bello’s political relevance cannot be measured solely through online conversations, but through the loyalty and presence of supporters across wards and polling units throughout Kogi State.
“For every election season, the true strength of any politician is tested at the grassroots. Yahaya Bello has built a political family that still exists beyond internet narratives,” the group added.
