By SUNTV Global Channel
December 30, 2025
Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has officially declared his intention to contest the Kogi Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections, despite facing an ongoing ₦80 billion fraud and money-laundering trial instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello announced his senatorial ambition on Monday during a visit to the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, where he met with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and key stakeholders from the district. A video of the declaration, later shared on his verified Facebook page, captured the former governor telling the gathering: “I accept to run for the Senate in 2027.”
The event was attended by Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, alongside other political figures. Ododo reportedly encouraged Bello to answer calls from party leaders and constituents to represent Kogi Central at the National Assembly.
Bello, who served as Kogi governor from 2016 to 2024 and remains a powerful figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, is currently standing trial before a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja. The EFCC is prosecuting him over alleged ₦80 billion money-laundering and fraud-related offences linked to his tenure in office.
In recent court proceedings, bank officials testified on alleged large-scale withdrawals from Kogi State government accounts and other questionable financial transactions, which prosecutors argue point to systematic misappropriation of public funds. Bello has consistently denied all allegations, describing the charges as politically motivated. The case has seen multiple adjournments and is expected to run into 2026.
His senatorial bid has sparked mixed reactions across the state and beyond, particularly as it sets up a potential political showdown with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the incumbent Kogi Central lawmaker. Akpoti-Uduaghan made history in 2023 as the first woman to represent the district in the Senate.
Notably, Akpoti-Uduaghan also has a history of legal confrontations. She was previously arraigned on criminal defamation charges filed by the federal government, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Yahaya Bello listed as complainants in the matter.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, Bello’s renewed political ambition — against the backdrop of a high-profile corruption trial — is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched political developments in Kogi State.
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