The Kogi Central Senatorial District erupted in widespread celebration on Friday, October 2, 2026, as the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, made a triumphant return to his ancestral homeland.
Thousands of All Progressives Congress (APC) faithful, community leaders, women groups, and youth organizations converged across Okene to accord him a grand reception ahead of the 2027 Kogi Central Senatorial Election.
​The atmosphere turned ecstatic, with residents lining the streets along the Lokoja–Okene highway to welcome the former governor. The motorcade made its way through key locations in Okene Town before culminating in a major gathering at the Agassa Community Square and later paying a courtesy visit to the Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in Okene.
​Addressing the crowd, Yahaya Bello expressed deep appreciation to the people of Ebiraland for their unalloyed loyalty and continued support. He assured constituents that his aspiration to represent Kogi Central in the 11th Senate is driven by a commitment to quality representation, human capital development, and economic empowerment for the zone.
​Speaking on behalf of the APC stakeholders in Kogi Central, the District APC Chairman, Hon. Ibrahim Ahovi, declared total alignment with Bello’s senatorial bid.
​”Yahaya Bello’s track record of infrastructure development and youth inclusion during his eight years as governor speaks for itself,” Ahovi stated. “Kogi Central stands united behind his candidacy, and we are confident of a decisive victory come 2027.”
​Also speaking at the event, prominent Ebira youth leader and political activist, Comrade Abdulraheem Eneji, praised the former governor’s efforts toward unifying the senatorial district and creating lasting legacies.
​”Our people know who has served them with dedication,” Eneji said during his address at Agassa. “The massive turnout today is a clear statement that Kogi Central remains an APC stronghold and is ready to send Alhaji Yahaya Bello to the National Assembly.”
​Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, previously secured the APC senatorial nomination following the party’s primary election in May 2026. Friday’s homecoming event formally kickstarts a series of grassroots engagements across the five local government areas comprising the district Okene, Adavi, Okehi, Ajaokuta, and Ogori-Magongo, ahead of the general elections.
