Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has officially declared his intention to contest for the Kogi Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.

Bello made the announcement during a visit to the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, where he engaged with traditional leaders, religious figures, and community stakeholders from the senatorial district. The former governor also shared a video of the visit and his declaration on his verified Facebook page on Monday.

“I accept to run for the Senate in 2027,” Bello stated while addressing the gathering.

The Kogi Central seat is currently held by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Elected in 2023 to Nigeria’s 10th National Assembly, Akpoti-Uduaghan made history as the first female senator from Kogi State.

Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, remains a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and is widely seen as a key player in the state’s political landscape.

In response to Bello’s announcement, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared unfazed. During an appearance on the Mic On Podcast, she described herself as a formidable opponent and dismissed the notion that Bello poses a threat.

“If I decide to contest and ex-Governor Yahaya Bello is on the ballot, I say bring it on. Scared of who? He’s not my nightmare; if anything, I’m his political nightmare,” she said confidently.

The senator also addressed recent controversies surrounding her constituency projects, acknowledging claims that some of them were removed. “Yes, someone removed my projects,” she confirmed, without elaborating further.

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With both politicians gearing up for a potential high-stakes showdown, Kogi Central is shaping up for an intense battle ahead of the 2027 elections.