Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has announced his intention to run for the Kogi Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections, despite being embroiled in a high-profile criminal trial for alleged multi-billion naira fraud.
Bello made the declaration on Monday during a visit to the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, where he told an assembly of traditional rulers and community stakeholders, “I accept to run for the Senate in 2027.” The announcement, shared via a video on his Facebook page, was made in the presence of his successor, Governor Usman Ododo, who urged Bello to heed the calls from constituents to represent the district.
Bello’s political ambition creates a complex situation as he is currently being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an N80 billion money-laundering charge linked to his tenure as governor.
The case has seen bank officials testify in court about large-scale withdrawals and questionable transactions from state accounts.
While Bello denies the allegations, his bid for the Senate sets up a potential political collision with the incumbent senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has her own history of legal battles.
