When a leader completes their constitutionally allotted time, democratic tradition expects a graceful exit, making way for fresh ideas and new leadership. For the people of Kogi Central, who gave Yahaya Bello their full support for eight years as governor, there is a growing and palpable feeling that this transition never truly happened. Instead, a system of indirect control has been established, and now, a demand for yet another mandate is on the table. This article is a sincere question to every Ane-Ebira son and daughter: when do we say “enough is enough”?
The Evidence of Uninterrupted Control
The handover of power in January 2024 from Yahaya Bello to Ahmed Usman Ododo was ceremonious, but the substance of power appears to have remained in familiar hands. The evidence is not hidden; it is in plain sight.
The Successor: Governor Ododo is widely described as Bello’s “political son,” hailing from the same local government and community, cementing a lineage of rule rather than a break from it.
The Key Appointment: Most tellingly, Governor Ododo’s first major appointment was naming Ali Bello, Yahaya Bello’s nephew, as his Chief of Staff. This appointment was made despite Ali Bello facing serious legal troubles, having been indicted for a N3 billion fraud and prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Lingering Authority: The perception of continued control was starkly illustrated when Yahaya Bello, as a private citizen, used the official Kogi State Government letterhead to write a congratulatory letter to the new Chief of Army Staff. In the letter, he referred to Governor Ododo as “my worthy successor,” a phrasing the analysts said reinforced a “godfather complex” and the impression that he “still runs the state by proxy”.
The Senate Bid: Asking for More as Oliver Twist
Against this backdrop of sustained influence, Yahaya Bello has now declared his intention to contest for the Kogi Central Senate seat in the 2027 elections. He announced this ambition in the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, with the sitting Governor Ododo present and openly appealing to him to run.
To many citizens, this feels like the famous character Oliver Twist asking for “more.” Having held the governorship for eight years and reportedly maintained significant sway over the current administration, the move for the Senate is seen by critics as a strategic play to retain national political relevance, consolidate influence in Ebiraland, and protect entrenched interests from a new platform. It raises a fundamental question: is this bid truly about service to the people, or is it about perpetuating a political dynasty?
The Political Battlefield and Your Power
The 2027 race is shaping up to be a historic clash. Bello will face the incumbent Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the first woman to represent Kogi Central. Their rivalry represents a clear choice for voters.
Yahaya Bello represents the established political structure, with deep roots in the APC machinery and a network built over eight years in power.
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has built her brand on grassroots mobilisation and challenging the established power blocs. In response to Bello’s declaration, she has stated she welcomes the competition, asserting that her mandate is rooted in the will of the people.
This contest is not merely between two individuals. It is a referendum on the past eight years and the shadow governance perceived to have followed. It is a choice between continuity of a particular political order and a potential new direction.
Ovavoze! The Power of Your Mandate
Yahaya Bello has every right to contest, as he is doing. But this right is matched by the supreme right of the people to accept or reject him at the ballot box.
The people of Kogi Central have this power. The phrase “Ovavoze!” “enough is enough” is a powerful expression of democratic will. It was echoed in the past by groups like the Coalition of Kogi State Indigenes, which rejected undemocratic processes and declared “enough is enough to leadership without followership”.
Now, that power is in your hands again. The question is not just who will represent Kogi Central in the Senate. The deeper question is: What kind of political future do you want?
Do you consent to the perceived unbroken chain of control, or do you seek a true and accountable representation? The 2027 election is your opportunity to answer. Your vote is your voice. Use it to decide when enough is indeed enough.
By Engr Lawal Abdulraheem Prince Adavi ✍️
