The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has dismissed concerns over the decision of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to contest the senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.
Akpoti-Uduaghan said Bello’s declaration poses no threat to her political career, noting that she is neither under pressure nor unsettled by his ambition.
Speaking through her Special Adviser on Media, Mike Idoko, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, the lawmaker said she welcomed Bello’s entry into the race.
“We don’t see it as a threat. In fact, we are happy that he wants to contest. We are waiting for them,” she said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan currently represents Kogi Central in the Senate, having been elected in 2023 after a protracted legal battle. A lawyer and former governorship aspirant, she made history as the first woman to represent the district in the upper chamber.
Bello had earlier declared his intention to vie for the Kogi Central senatorial seat in the 2027 elections. He made the announcement during a visit to the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, where he met with traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders from the district.
A video of the visit, including his declaration, was later shared on Bello’s verified Facebook page.
“I accept to run for the Senate in 2027,” Bello was heard saying while addressing the gathering.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, was also present at the event alongside other political leaders and community stakeholders. He was reportedly said to have urged his predecessor to respond to calls from party leaders and constituents to represent the district at the National Assembly.
The appeal was made in the presence of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland and other influential figures from the area.
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