Yahaya Bello vows to defeat Natasha Akpoti in Kogi Central showdown

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has expressed confidence that he will defeat Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in the 2027 Kogi Central senatorial election, Daily Post reports.

Bello is seeking the seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Akpoti-Uduaghan, the current senator for the district, belongs to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking on TVC’s Sunday Politics, Bello said the outcome of the election would speak for itself. “16 January 2027 is around the corner, the result will speak for itself.

“Let the day come and go, the day will bring massive votes, a decisive victory for Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, and for APC,” he said.

The two politicians have had a strained relationship marked by allegations of political violence, defamation and legal battles.

In October 2022, Bello accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of involvement in the Ajaokuta massacre and the Kuje prison break, which happened between June and July that year. She denied the allegations, saying she was in the United States at the time for pregnancy-related reasons and childbirth.

On November 4, 2022, Akpoti-Uduaghan responded by describing Bello as a “murderer, serial killer, and a terror to the people of Kogi State.”