Battle For The Heart Of Kogi Central: Bello, Akpoti Set For Epic Showdown

In the nation’s political space, some contests transcend elections to become battles of power and legacy. As ADEMU IDAKWO reports, such a struggle is already taking shape in Kogi Central ahead of the 2027 general election, with former governor Yahaya Bello and incumbent senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on a collision course.

Separated by style, political lineage, and governing philosophy, former governor Yahaya Bello and senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan are not merely competitors; they are entrenched adversaries whose prolonged feud has shaped recent political narratives in Kogi State. Their looming contest for the Kogi Central senatorial seat is widely regarded by observers as one of the most fiercely anticipated races in Nigeria’s North Central region, with implications that extend beyond the district into the national political landscape.

Yahaya Bello: Power, structure, and a bid for relevance

Yahaya Bello is no stranger to political combat. He emerged in 2016 as Nigeria’s youngest governor at the time, riding on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to govern Kogi state for eight turbulent years. His tenure was characterised by firm control of party structures, aggressive political manoeuvring, and a leadership style that earned him both a devoted following and fierce criticism.

Now out of office, Bello’s decision to seek the Kogi Central Senate seat is widely interpreted as a strategic move to retain political relevance, consolidate influence in Ebira land, and reposition himself within national power calculations. During a recent visit to the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Bello framed his ambition as a response to popular demand. “My people have spoken,” he told supporters, projecting confidence and continuity.

To his camp, the Senate represents a natural next step. On this platform, Bello can leverage his executive experience, protect entrenched political interests, and remain a visible force in national politics.

However, his return to frontline politics is not without controversy. Since leaving office, Bello has faced high-profile legal challenges, including allegations of large-scale financial impropriety. While he has consistently denied wrongdoing and described the cases as politically motivated, analysts agree that these issues will feature prominently in the 2027 campaign narrative.

Despite the controversies, Bello retains formidable political machinery. From ward leaders to former appointees and party stalwarts, his grip on APC structures across Kogi Central remains substantial, giving him a strong organisational base as the contest approaches.

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan: The incumbent who defied the establishment

If Bello symbolises entrenched political power, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan represents what observers describe as disruption. Her victory in the 2023 senatorial election was historic, not only because she became the first woman to represent Kogi Central in the Senate, but because she defeated political forces long considered untouchable.

A lawyer, development advocate, and former gubernatorial aspirant, Akpoti-Uduaghan built her political brand on grassroots mobilisation, gender inclusion, and resistance to political intimidation. Her emergence unsettled established power blocs, particularly those aligned with the former governor.

Since assuming office, she has projected herself as a vocal and fearless legislator, frequently challenging authority both within and outside the Senate. Her political and legal confrontations have kept her firmly in the national spotlight.

Her tenure, however, has not been without turbulence. She has faced defamation suits and sustained political pressure. While supporters insist these are calculated attempts to weaken her ahead of 2027, critics argue they reflect the risks inherent in her confrontational approach. But Akpoti-Uduaghan responded that she and her supporters are ”not threatened.”

Addressing concerns over Bello’s declaration to contest her seat, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has played down suggestions that the former governor poses any threat to her political future.

Speaking through her Special Adviser on Media, Mike Idoko, the senator said she welcomed Bello’s entry into the race, insisting that competition strengthens democracy.

“We don’t see it as a threat. In fact, we are happy that he wants to contest. We are waiting for them,” the lawmaker said, projecting confidence ahead of the 2027 polls.

She has repeatedly described herself as unafraid, casting her political journey as a symbol of resilience against political dominance. Akpoti-Uduaghan maintains that her mandate is rooted in the will of the people and that her record in office will ultimately speak louder than political intimidation.

Elected in 2023 following a prolonged legal contest, the senator has since positioned herself as a prominent and assertive voice in the National Assembly, insisting that no individual or political structure holds a monopoly over Kogi Central.

A rivalry years in the making

The Bello–Akpoti rivalry did not begin with the 2027 race. It is rooted in years of political tension, public exchanges, and courtroom battles that have hardened positions on both sides. From petitions to security agencies to sharp rhetoric at rallies and media interviews, the conflict has often gone beyond policy disagreements, evolving into a personal and symbolic struggle over who truly represents the Ebira people.

Political observers note that the rivalry has polarised Kogi Central like never before, dividing communities, families, and long-standing political alliances.

The battleground: Kogi Central

Comprising Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okehi, Okene, and Ogori-Magongo local government areas, Kogi Central is both politically strategic and culturally cohesive. Control of the senatorial seat is widely seen as synonymous with control of Ebira political identity.

Bello’s strength lies in party structures, elite networks, and political experience, while Akpoti-Uduaghan’s appeal resonates strongly among youths, women, and voters disillusioned with traditional politics. The contest is therefore not just between two personalities, but between two political philosophies, structure versus spontaneity, dominance versus disruption.

What 2027 really means

Beyond the Senate seat, the 2027 election will shape the future political direction of Kogi State. A Bello victory could signal a reassertion of old power alignments and further consolidate APC dominance in the state. Conversely, an Akpoti-Uduaghan re-election would deepen the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) foothold and embolden reform-minded politicians across Kogi.

Nationally, the race will be closely watched as a test of whether grassroots-driven insurgencies can consistently overcome entrenched political machinery.

Divergent voices, competing narratives

Speaking with LEADERSHIP Sunday, the Kogi State chairman of the PDP, Muhammad Sani Gambo, dismissed Bello’s ambition, insisting the former governor poses no threat to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Gambo recalled that Akpoti-Uduaghan defeated Bello and his preferred candidate in the 2023 election when Bello was still in office. “Is it now that he is no longer in office that we should be afraid of him? That is not possible,” he said, adding that the senator has become a household name in Ebira land through what he described as tangible democratic dividends.

On the other hand, the chairman of Okehi Local Government Area, Hon. Amoka Eneji Monday, declared that Bello’s 2027 senatorial ambition is a collective project aimed at advancing the overall interest of Kogi Central. Addressing party stakeholders and community leaders, Eneji described Bello’s bid as timely and strategic, citing his experience in governance and national politics.

“This ambition is not about Yahaya Bello as an individual. It is about the interest of our people,” he said, arguing that Bello’s eight-year tenure as governor equipped him with the exposure and federal connections needed to deliver meaningful dividends to the district.

A call for peace

Amid rising political tensions, a community leader in Okene-Eba, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Salihu, urged restraint, warning supporters of both camps against violence. Recalling lives lost during the 2023 elections, he cautioned against treating politics as a do-or-die affair.

“We must not take up arms against ourselves in the name of politics. If the aim is truly to serve the people, then bloodshed defeats that purpose,” he said.

Countdown to a political reckoning

With two years still to go, the political drums are already beating loudly across Kogi Central. Though formal campaigns are yet to commence, alignments are forming, narratives are crystallising, and loyalties are being tested.

One thing is sure: when Yahaya Bello and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan eventually meet on the ballot in 2027, Kogi Central will witness not just an election, but a political reckoning, one capable of redefining power, representation, and the district’s future.