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Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello returned to Kogi Central for a massive homecoming reception with APC supporters ahead of the 2027 senatorial election. Bello, who won the APC senatorial primary with 72,399 votes, received endorsements from party leaders who projected victory at the polls.
Former Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello returned to Kogi Central on Friday for a massive homecoming reception by indigenes and All Progressives Congress supporters ahead of the 2027 Kogi Central Senatorial election.
Homecoming Reception Draws Massive Crowds
The event attracted a huge crowd across the district, marked by colourful displays, chants and enthusiastic supporters who trooped out in large numbers to welcome the former governor and APC senatorial candidate. Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, emerged as the APC candidate for the Kogi Central Senate seat after winning the party senatorial primary in May 2026. He was declared winner with 72,399 votes across the district in a direct primary.
Stakeholders and residents who led constituents to welcome Bello enumerated some of his legacy projects when he governed the state. They declared that the senatorial hopeful is naturally loved by the entire residents of Kogi, even years after meritoriously completing his two terms of office. Many vowed to further demonstrate their gratitude for the good works of the former governor by voting him massively next year.
Speaking during the homecoming, former Kogi State APC Chairman and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Abdullahi Bello, described the reception as a demonstration of the affection and confidence the people of Kogi Central have for the former governor. He said the homecoming was a welcome for a leader who liberated the whole Ebiraland. He added that residents turned out in large numbers to show their love for him.
APC Strength and Voter Enthusiasm
Abdullahi Bello declared that the APC structure in Kogi Central was fully prepared for the forthcoming election, stressing that the district remained a stronghold of the party. He said Ebiraland and Kogi Central are the home of the All Progressives Congress, adding that the party lives and is preached there.
According to him, the massive crowd witnessed during the homecoming was not merely a political gathering but an indication of the level of acceptance he said Bello enjoys among the people. He expressed confidence that APC members and supporters across the five local government areas of Kogi Central would mobilise behind Bello at the polls. He said the APC is fully prepared to vote Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello to the Red Chamber come next year.
Abdullahi Bello also said the era of using professional influence or advantage is over, adding that the law will put an end to that when a candidate is beaten with a very clear margin. He said lessons would be learned and that this would happen in the coming election. Addressing the overwhelming crowd, the former APC chairman said he was not surprised by the turnout, insisting that Bello political appeal cuts across age and gender.
Security Legacy and Political Appeal
He said he was not surprised because Alhaji Yahaya Bello has done so much that every Ebira, both young and old, man and woman, believes in him. He added that even hearing his name makes people want to join the queue. He further claimed that the message of the APC campaign was already resonating with party members and supporters across the district.
The former chairman also linked the reception to what he described as the security situation in Kogi Central during Bello tenure as governor. He recalled that the area had previously experienced episodes of violence and insecurity. He said that before now, especially in 2007 and 2008, the Central area used to be a battlefield with burning of houses and killing of innocent people. He added that the coming of Alhaji Yahaya Bello put an end to all that.
According to him, the relative peace in the area has enabled residents to move freely and participate in political and economic activities without the level of fear associated with previous years. Other constituents who spoke hailed the track records of Bello, promising to mobilise support for him to win with a wide margin. The event underscored the political significance of Kogi Central, which comprises five local government areas, in the 2027 senatorial election.
Bello Vows Support for APC
Responding, the former governor expressed happiness at the show of love by his people. He described the massive crowd who came to honour him as organic and proof that the sense of appreciation of the people of the state, especially in Kogi Central, is inborn. Addressing journalists at the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebira Land, Bello emphatically stated that all the APC candidates for the 2027 general elections would emerge victorious at the polls.
He said he had never doubted that his people are with him 100 per cent. He added that he had never doubted that his people are supporting APC 100 per cent and that they will support and vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu 100 per cent. He also said he had never doubted that his people are with the governor, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, 100 per cent.
Bello further expressed assurance that he enjoys the total support of the people of Kogi Central ahead of the senatorial polls. He said he had never doubted that his people are going to vote for him as the senator representing Kogi Central and all other candidates on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
Party Deliverables and Democratic Dividends
According to him, the people know very well what the party has done to liberate them, bring infrastructure and ensure that dividends of democracy are delivered to the people and are still being delivered. While appreciating the people for the show of love and support, he said Kogi State is 100 per cent APC and APC is Kogi State 100 per cent.
He said he sincerely appreciates his people for displaying this love and affection, describing it as organic, inborn, inherent and in their DNA. He also appreciated God Almighty. The homecoming rally thus served as a launch pad for Bello senatorial campaign in Kogi Central, with party leaders projecting confidence ahead of the 2027 polls.
TheNationNews 
GuardianNigeria:2027: Kogi Central welcomes Yahaya Bello as stakeholders pledge supportThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Yahaya Bello Kogi Central APC 2027 Senatorial Election Abdullahi Bello Ebiraland Ahmed Usman Ododo Kogi Central Senate 2027 APC Kogi Central Kogi State Politics Nigerian Senatorial Election
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