Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has expressed confidence that he will defeat incumbent Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in the 2027 Kogi Central senatorial election, predicting a decisive victory for himself and the All Progressives Congress (APC). Bello maintained that the election results would demonstrate the level of support he commands among voters in the district.
Bello made the remarks on Sunday, October 18, 2026, during an appearance on Politics Sunday, a programme on TVC News. The former governor, who is the APC candidate for Kogi Central, was responding to questions about his electoral prospects against Akpoti-Uduaghan, the incumbent senator and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
When asked whether he could defeat Akpoti-Uduaghan, Bello declined to provide a detailed assessment of his opponent's popularity, insisting instead that the election would determine the outcome.
“The result will speak for itself,” he declared.
The former governor was also questioned about whether he remained sufficiently popular to retain his political nickname, the White Lion. Rather than offering a detailed explanation of his support base, Bello responded, “Let the day come and go.”
Pressed further about his expectations for the election, he predicted, “Massive vote. Decisive victory.”
Bello subsequently clarified that he expected the victory to be recorded in his favour and that of the APC. His remarks reflected confidence in his candidacy, although he did not present polling figures or other independently verifiable evidence establishing the level of support he currently enjoys among voters.
The former governor, who administered Kogi State between January 2016 and January 2024, secured the APC senatorial ticket during the party's primary election held on May 18, 2026. He received 72,399 votes, defeating Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke and Momoh Yusuf Obaro, who polled 319 and 188 votes respectively, according to the results announced by the party's returning officer.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also secured her party's nomination in May 2026, following a PDP affirmation exercise conducted across the 57 wards of Kogi Central Senatorial District. The senator, who currently represents the constituency in the National Assembly, is seeking another term on the PDP platform.
Their candidacies were subsequently included in the Independent National Electoral Commission's published list of candidates for the 2027 National Assembly elections. The Kogi Central contest includes candidates from other political parties, meaning the election will not be limited to Bello and Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The anticipated contest follows the disputed 2023 Kogi Central senatorial election, in which Akpoti-Uduaghan challenged the initial declaration of APC candidate Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere as winner. An election tribunal subsequently overturned the result and declared Akpoti-Uduaghan the winner after examining irregularities in the collation of votes.
Bello's emergence as the APC candidate has also been the subject of a legal challenge. An aggrieved aspirant, Momoh Yusuf Obaro, approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to invalidate the former governor's nomination. The court has scheduled November 19, 2026, for judgment in the dispute, leaving the outcome of that legal challenge pending.
The former governor is also facing separate corruption-related proceedings arising from allegations brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Bello has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty. Those proceedings are distinct from the forthcoming senatorial election, and the charges do not constitute findings of guilt.
As preparations continue for the 2027 general election, Bello's latest comments have placed renewed attention on the contest for Kogi Central. While the former governor has publicly expressed confidence in defeating the incumbent senator, the outcome will depend on votes cast and the applicable electoral process.
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