Yahaya Bello Declares 2027 Senate Bid to Challenge Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

In a significant political move, former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has officially declared his candidacy for the Kogi Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections. The announcement sets the stage for a high-stakes battle as he seeks to unseat the incumbent, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, with whom he has shared a long and often contentious political rivalry.

Bello made his intentions known during a strategic visit to the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, an event attended by the current Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, along with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and key stakeholders from the district. Addressing the gathering, the former governor stated:

“I accept to run for the Senate in 2027.”

The declaration comes as Yahaya Bello continues to navigate a complex legal landscape. He is currently facing a 19-count charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N80.2 billion money laundering case. As of late December 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned his trial until January 29, 2026.  

The political rivalry between Bello and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been one of the most intense in Nigerian politics. Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), successfully claimed the seat in the 2023 elections after a protracted legal battle that saw the Appeal Court sack the APC candidate, Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere. In 2025, the friction between the two intensified further, with Akpoti-Uduaghan alleging political intimidation and Bello petitioning the Inspector General of Police over alleged defamatory statements made by the senator.  

While Bello’s supporters view his senatorial bid as a natural transition for a two-term governor (2016–2024), critics and transparency advocacy groups, such as the African Transparency Initiative (ATI), have questioned the timing of his political aspirations. Recently, the APC leadership appointed Bello to a national reconciliation committee, a move that drew fire from anti-corruption groups citing his ongoing trial.  

With the primary elections still over a year away, Bello’s early declaration signals his intent to consolidate his base in Kogi Central. The contest is expected to be one of the most closely watched in the 2027 cycle, as it tests Bello’s enduring political influence in the region against Akpoti-Uduaghan’s incumbency.