Former Kogi State Governor and All Progressives Congress senatorial candidate for Kogi Central, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has disclosed that he deployed legal and political channels to frustrate plans by the Federal Government under the late President Muhammadu Buhari to sell the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company while he was governor.
Bello made the disclosure during his consultation tour of Ajaokuta Local Government Area as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
According to the former governor, his intervention was driven by his conviction that the Ajaokuta Steel complex remained an important national asset that should be protected in the interest of Nigerians.
Bello, who was given a rousing reception in Okene on Tuesday, continued his engagement across the three districts of Ajaokuta Local Government Area — Eganyi, Ebiya and Ajaokuta. During the tour, he held meetings with traditional rulers, political leaders, community stakeholders and party supporters across several wards, including Adogo, Ebiya, Ganaja and Geregu.
The former governor began the visit at the palace of the Ohi of Ajaokuta, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Isah Musa Achuja, where members of the traditional councils from Eganyi and Ebiya districts had assembled to receive him.
Bello paid his respects to the monarch and formally sought his royal consent to enter the community and engage with its people.
In his response, the royal father offered prayers for the former governor and highlighted what he described as Bello’s accomplishments during his time in office. He also promised to mobilise his subjects in support of Bello, citing his contributions to Ajaokuta and the wider development of Kogi State.
After leaving the palace, Bello met with political associates and supporters who turned out in large numbers and welcomed him with solidarity chants.
During the gathering, the APC candidate presented the party’s candidates for the 2027 elections. They included Hon. Sanni Egidi Abdulraheem, candidate for the House of Representatives; Hon. Moses Aguva and Hon. Aliyu Akaba Mustapha, candidates for the State House of Assembly; and Hon. Haruna Ganaja, the party’s chairmanship candidate.
Bello urged residents to back the APC candidates at the polls, while also seeking support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the administration of Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
The former governor subsequently moved to Ajaokuta District, where residents of Ganaja and surrounding communities gathered to receive him.
Addressing the gathering, Bello expressed appreciation for what he described as the people’s continued loyalty and support. He also disclosed plans to organise a mega rally in Ajaokuta as part of efforts to consolidate political unity and intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
As part of the visit, Bello also paid a courtesy call on the Anaja Gaku of Ganaja. Other traditional rulers from Ajaokuta District were present at the palace to receive him and extend their royal blessings.
The former governor was accompanied by several political figures and associates, including Senator Abubakar Sadiq Ohere; his former Chief of Staff, Pharmacist Jamiu Asuku; Kogi State Auditor-General for Local Government, Hon. Siyaka Yakubu Adabenege; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Abdullahi Bello (Dollar); former Accountant-General of Kogi State, Hon. Momoh Jibril; Kogi APC Chairman, Engr. Momoh Ezzu Aliyu; and Hon. Kashim Abdulbasit Adarehi, among others.
The consultation exercise is expected to extend to other local government areas within the Kogi Central Senatorial District in the coming days as the APC continues its mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
