Kogi Central: Stage set for Natasha, Bello, Ogembe showdown

The 2027 contest for the Kogi Central Senatorial seat has taken shape with the granting of access codes by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to candidates of the political parties in the race.

Barring any last minute change, the race for the coveted seat in the 11th Assembly will be between incumbent senator representing the district, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the  People’s Democratic Party( PDP); ex- governor Yahaya Bello of the All Progressive Congress (APC); and Senator Ahmed Salau Ogembe of the African Democratic Congress (ADC),

With INEC’s clearance of the three through the issuance of Form EC9, analysts say it has duly certified them as candidates of their respective parties.

With the INEC’s approval, the stage is therefore set for political drama of the respective  parties as major stakeholders, supporters  and other interest groups wade in..

How local government politics will play out

The Kogi central  district comprises  five  local governments: Adavi , Ajaokuta, Okehi and Okene while Ogori-Magongo, that are  predominantly  inhabited by the Ebira speaking ethnic extractions, with  Ogori and Magongo tribe as  minority.

While ex- governor Bello and senator Ogembe are from Okene local government, the incumbent, Senator Uduaghan- Akpoti hails from Okehi LG council in the zone.

Already, due to the sensitivity of the task ahead, it has attracted wide interests both within and outside the district.

Sources noted that leaders of thought , cutting across party lines have started engaging voters in the district on the choice of candidates, broadening the conversation to trajectories of structure and performance with emphasis on deescalating issues  of character assassination, clannish cleavages and political sentiments.

The three contestants have in the estimation of many of their constituents shown  unwavering commitment to the development of the area while in the course of public service over the years that endeared them to the heart of their kinsmen.

All the three candidates have held political offices before and are adjudged to have contributed to the development of the district.

The constituents say each of the candidates therefore  comes into the race with the  support of die- hard supporters, political clout, wealth of experience and verifiable achievements that can turn the table to favour their ambitions.

According to Omeiza Ibrahim, a resident in the community, the trio have influenced  development in “women and youths empowerment, health care intervention, rural electrification and water provision Projects , including road infrastructure ,among others.

“The degree of impact depends on the capacity of office each of  them occupy  in the public service. Any of them is qualified to represent the district  at the green chamber. As events are unfolding gradually, we will separate the grains from the chaffs, and the best will be voted to represent the zone,” he stated.

Analysts say due to the political experience of the contestants, that the highest level of wits, tactics and manoruvering would be deployed in winning the race by each of the aspirants.

The gladiators are said to have set the fireworks claiming marginalization of some local governments, undue domination by another and injustice in the sharing of the office among the LGs that make the district.

Power brokers in the five local governments reportedly vowed to align together and ensure the senatorial seat is is shared equally rather than allow it to  be taken over by the same LG council alleged to have benefited more and has a high number of appointees/ elected officers .

Reliable sources stressed  that if the  deep rooted sentiment  is not nipped in the bud, it may affect chances of some candidates in the race, as series  of meetings are said to be ongoing on the issue.

Natasha: The incumbency factor

Incumbent senator,  Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, is said to be drawing her strength from the good will and works of her late medical  doctor father, Dr Akpoti. Our correspondent reports that she enjoys the support of her people due to how she has been interacting with them.

Recently, the Ohi of Ihima and Chairman Okehi Local Government Traditional Council,  HRH Ahmed O Abdulraheem, had to summon urgent meeting of his chiefs to respond to  an alleged “offensive post” against  the Senator by a pastor in the land, describing it as immoral.

He said, “Political interest apart, that woman has done enough in her first term in office to deserve our support in her attempt for second term bid.

“Although the senator ran into  into serious controversies in the course of legislative duty, she was able to show capacity, overcame it, and in the process  empowered her constituents, including  youths, women, students with skills, tools, scholarships that are verifiable in the  district”, said an elder in the district who craved to speak on condition of anonymity.

While many said her achievements stand tall and may speak for her at the home front, several others maintain that  her  ambition may crash due  to the ongoing  internal crisis in her party (PDP) while she also has  the ruling APC machinery at both the state and federal levels to contend with.

There is also the challenge of critical stakeholders, including those in her immediate legislative constituency.

Dr Tom Ohikere, an elder in the district and an astute politician who commented on the issue said if her faction of the PDP is eventually invalidated by the court due to ongoing crisis bedeviling the party, it may out paid to her ambition.

He said :”I’m pretty sure there must be someone from Kogi Central who is still loyal to the Makinde/Turaki-led faction, even if anonymously.

“If the court eventually rules in favour of the Turaki-led PDP faction, which I know may be difficult to happen, but let’s just assume, what will happens to her?”.

Also, many claimed the ego rivalry between her and Yahaya Bello and his allies could be exploited by her rivals and their supporters to offload all arsenals at their disposal  to truncate  her second term move .

However, her die -hard supporters maintain that no matter the seemingly stumbling blocks ahead , the Senator will weather the storm ,and go back to her beat at the national assembly.

Yahaya Bello: The ruling party factor

The former governor of the state, Yahaya Bello has warmed himself to the heart of his kinsmen when he was at the head of affairs in the state .

One thing that favours, the ex-governor is that he is believed to have the financial muscle to prosecute the election without tears and he belongs to the ruling party which means that he will enjoy the support of the state governor and people of influence in Abuja.

Momo Jimoh Abdulraheem said the ex – governor enjoys support from the people though nothing is one hundred percent sure in politics.

However, the ex-governor  was said to have stepped on the toes on some “sacred cows” in the course of his political expedition.

A resident of Okene ,  Shalawudeen Idris said several  critical stakeholders within and outside the state  are not  comfortable with his policies and ambition and this had pitted him against such leaders  and interest groups in the process. He said the just concluded party primary serves as an eye  opener.

Equally, some residents say the travail of the ex-governor at the ongoing trial in the court by anti graft agency over alleged financial sleaze was an attempt to silence him politically .

They contended that although the court has not convicted him if wrong doings, but the psychological effect is too much a burden to bear.

A seeming setback is from Chief Momoh Yusuf Obaro, an  APC Kogi Central senatorial aspirant and party UK Secretary who lost the  ticket to ex- governor Bello at the primary who is said to be pressing hard for his petition over the conduct of the election to be upheld and his prayers approved .

Chief Obaro had petitioned the National working commiitee of the party , alleging that the primary was marred with irregularities and  not in tandem with party guidelines and electoral laws.

Saliu Ogembe: The experience factor

The ADC candidate, Senator Saliu Ogembe remains a force to reckon with in the race, considering his political antecedence.

The Senator was a one time chairman of Okene LGA and represented the district at the 8th National Assembly, between 2015 – 2019 on the platform of PDP where he made his marks in the district with appreciable achievements.

He joined the ADC after he fell out with PDP in 2025 over alleged anti-party activities.

Analysts say he is capable of pulling a surprise in the current race since he is seen as one who enjoys the support of his kinsmen.

“The game looks like a straight fight between APC and PDP candidates, I bet you, it may not be so. He will be the chief beneficiary of the political drama at the end”, said a source in the district .

As all eyes stay fixed on the district , any of the candidate with the best strategy may carry the day, though they all have their areas of  weaknesses  and strengths.

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