Former Kogi State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Kogi Central Senatorial District, Yahaya Adoza Bello, has expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will win Kogi State in the 2027 presidential election.
Bello made the declaration during his homecoming in Kogi Central, where a large crowd of supporters gathered to welcome him back to the state.
The former governor said the reception further strengthened his belief that the APC remains firmly rooted across Kogi State, particularly in Kogi Central.
He said he had never doubted the loyalty of his supporters or their commitment to the APC, adding that the turnout at the homecoming was evidence of the strong relationship between him and the people.
“I have never doubted that my people are with me 100 per cent. I have never doubted that my people are supporting APC 100 per cent,” Bello said.
He also expressed confidence in the continued support of Kogi residents for President Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, saying the people understood the direction of the APC-led administrations at both the federal and state levels.
Bello, who is seeking election to the Senate to represent Kogi Central, said he expected voters to support him and other APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.
According to him, the party has demonstrated commitment to infrastructure development and the delivery of democratic dividends to Nigerians.
He also described the large turnout at his homecoming as a spontaneous show of support rather than a gathering organised through inducement.
“It is organic. It is inborn, it is inherent, it is in our DNA, and I sincerely appreciate them,” Bello said.
The former governor thanked God, the APC, President Tinubu, Governor Ododo and party members at different levels for their support.
He said the gathering demonstrated the strength of the APC’s political structure and grassroots presence in the state.
Bello subsequently gave a strong assurance of support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, saying the APC was positioned to secure victory in Kogi State.
“I want to assure Mr President that the Kogi State election, and the election of Kogi Central in particular, is as good as done 100 per cent for APC,” he said.
His comments came as political parties and opposition groups continue preparations for the 2027 general elections, with discussions over possible alliances and a single opposition candidate also gaining attention.
The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, recently said the opposition coalition involving groups such as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other parties was primarily aimed at challenging President Tinubu and the APC at the next election.
Baba-Ahmed said the PRP was already preparing its campaign structure while studying the political environment ahead of the polls.
“We’re as ready as we can be. We are fine-tuning our campaign strategy. One thing Nigerians need to recognise is that the 2027 campaigns are going to look unlike anything else,” he said.
He said insecurity could affect the traditional style of political campaigning, particularly large rallies, while also warning that access to financial resources could influence the ability of parties to mobilise voters and reach communities.
Baba-Ahmed acknowledged that the PRP did not have the financial resources of the APC but said the party would rely on its political structure, candidates and relationships with other opposition groups.
Discussions among opposition parties have included consultations involving the ADC, NDC, PRP, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The proposed alliance has, however, raised questions over how the presidential ambitions of different parties and candidates would eventually be reconciled.
Baba-Ahmed said the PRP had not closed the door on any possible arrangement, including the possibility of supporting another candidate if negotiations produced a consensus.
Asked whether the PRP could eventually ask its presidential candidate to step down in favour of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, he said no decision had been made.
“All our options are on the table. All options,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He explained that the coalition process would require negotiations among the participating parties, noting that the existence of candidates in the different parties could create legal and political limitations.
“We are looking at the law, we are looking at the limitations in which the fact that all parties already have candidates, we are looking at how that limits our chances,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed nevertheless said cooperation among opposition parties remained preferable to the parties contesting the election separately.
He also said the PRP would announce its presidential campaign council soon, adding that the party was more concerned about creating an effective campaign structure than matching other parties in the timing of their announcements.
“We will announce ours soon. There’s no magic to this. It’s not a timing thing,” he said.
According to Baba-Ahmed, the party’s campaign would focus on issues including poverty, corruption, insecurity, national divisions and the future of young Nigerians.
“We have messages to send out. We are not just looking for offices. We are a party based on an ideology,” he said.