OKENE, NIGERIA — The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has emerged victorious in the All Progressives Congress primary election for the Kogi Central Senatorial District ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections. The high-stakes internal party election, which concluded on Monday, May 18, 2026, saw the former governor secure a decisive mandate from grassroots party faithful, effectively setting the stage for his entry into the legislative arena.
The primary contest featured a three-way race for the ticket, with Bello facing challenges from the All Progressives Congress Diaspora Secretary, Momoh Yusuf Obaro, and Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke. Following the conclusion of voting, sorting, and collation at the party’s zonal secretariat in Okene, the designated Collation Officer for the Kogi Central primary election, Sadiq Muhammed, officially announced the results to eager party supporters and members of the press.
The certified figures revealed a landslide victory for the former governor. Yahaya Bello polled an overwhelming total of 72,399 votes from the accredited delegates and party members across the senatorial district. His competitors trailed by a wide margin, with Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke securing 319 votes, while Momoh Yusuf Obaro finished with 198 votes. Sadiq Muhammed noted that the exercise was conducted in a peaceful, free, and transparent manner, aligning strictly with the constitutional guidelines established by the national leadership of the ruling party.
Bello’s clear-cut victory comes in the wake of intense political tension and speculation within both regional and national party circles over the preceding days. Rumors had circulated widely that his screening process before the All Progressives Congress National Assembly Screening Committee had faced significant hurdles, raising immense uncertainty among stakeholders regarding his eligibility to participate in the Monday contest.
The administrative anxiety was deepened by discussions surrounding his ongoing legal matters and initial questions over his appearance before the screening panels, leading some local political factions to speculate about potential disqualification or structural divisions within the state chapter of the party. However, the clearance list released by the national headquarters layout those concerns, formally validating his candidacy just ahead of the voting window.
In his acceptance remarks shortly after the official declaration, Yahaya Bello expressed his profound appreciation to the party delegates, grassroots organizers, and loyal supporters across the five local government areas of Kogi Central for the absolute confidence reposed in his leadership. He assured the constituency of his unwavering commitment to delivering strong, effective, and impactful representation at the red chamber of the National Assembly if elected in the general polls.
The former governor also utilized the platform to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his ongoing efforts to reposition the national economy, while praising the sub-national collaboration between the federal government and the current administration of Governor Usman Ododo in Kogi State. Concluding his address, Bello reached out to his fellow contestants and all aggrieved internal stakeholders, urging them to collapse their structures and unite behind his senatorial candidacy to ensure a formidable, unified front ahead of the general election campaign.
