2027: Why Tinubu may not need to campaign in Kogi — Yahaya Bello

Former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may not need to campaign across Kogi ahead of the 2027 presidential election because of the overwhelming support the President enjoys in the state.

Yahaya Bello made the declaration on Sunday during a town hall meeting with members of the Kogi community resident in Lagos, shortly after participating in a congregational prayer session and endorsement event for President Tinubu’s re-election and the governorship ambition of Obafemi Hamzat under the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

Speaking at the event held at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Bello described Tinubu as a courageous and visionary leader whose political support contributed significantly to his emergence as governor of Kogi.

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He urged the President to remain committed to providing purposeful leadership despite the nation’s current challenges.

“I am here to express our deep appreciation to President Tinubu and the people of Lagos State for the tremendous work being done in moving this country forward. Mr President, you cannot afford to be tired. Nigerians still look up to your leadership, vision and courage,” Bello said.

“When the time comes, you will not need to campaign across Kogi State. The people are fully committed and the state will be delivered one hundred per cent.”

Addressing Kogi indigenes during the meeting in Ikeja, Lagos, the former governor stressed the need for unity among the various ethnic nationalities in the state, including the Igala, Ebira and Okun people.

He commended members of the Kogi community in Lagos for what he described as their industrious nature and peaceful coexistence, urging them to continue supporting the APC at all levels of government.

Bello also encouraged them to remain politically active ahead of future elections, noting that political participation was essential for attracting development opportunities to their communities.

According to him, engagements with Kogi indigenes living outside the state would become a regular exercise aimed at strengthening communication, unity and collaboration among the people.

Reflecting on Lagos as a model of peaceful coexistence, Bello urged Kogi residents to sustain harmonious relationships and encourage their relatives back home to continue supporting the government.

He further called on the Kogi community in Lagos to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election bid and also back Hamzat for the Lagos governorship race in 2027.

Traditional rulers and leaders of Kogi ethnic groups at the meeting commended Bello for organising what they described as the first town hall engagement of its kind for Kogi indigenes living in Lagos.

Among those present were representatives of the Attah Igala, the Onu Igala of Lagos State, the Odeyi-Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in Lagos, and representatives of the Obaro of Okunland.

The community leaders also praised the administration of Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, while pledging continued support for the development of the state.