Ex-Governor Yahaya Bello Declares 2027 Senate Bid Amid N80billion Fraud Probe
Ex-Governor Yahaya Bello Declares 2027 Senate Bid Amid N80billion Fraud Probe
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting him in a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on N80billion money-laundering and alleged fraud charges linked to his tenure.
Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has formally declared his intention to contest the Kogi Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections — even as he battles a high-profile criminal trial for alleged multi-billion naira fraud.
Bello made the announcement on Monday during a visit to the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, where he met with traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders from the senatorial district.
A video of the declaration was shared on his verified Facebook page, in which he told the gathering: “I accept to run for the Senate in 2027.”
Governor Usman Ododo and other political figures were also present at the event, with Ododo urging Bello to heed calls from party leaders and constituents to represent the district at the National Assembly.
Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024 and remains a central figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, now faces a complex legal and political landscape.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting him in a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on N80billion money-laundering and alleged fraud charges linked to his tenure.
In recent months, bank officials have testified in court about alleged large-scale withdrawals from state government accounts and questionable transactions, part of the prosecution’s attempt to establish a pattern of misappropriation under Bello’s watch.
The case — which Bello denies — has been repeatedly adjourned, with proceedings expected to continue into 2026.
Reactions to Bello’s senatorial bid have been mixed.
Bello’s pursuit of the Kogi Central seat puts him on a collision course with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the incumbent who made history as the first woman to represent the district after her 2023 election victory.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a lawyer and former governorship aspirant, has her own legal battles — she was previously arraigned on criminal defamation charges brought by the federal government, which listed both Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Bello as complainants.
