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The Senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has declared her intention to seek re-election for a second term, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest with former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, in the 2027 general elections.

Akpoti-Uduaghan made the declaration during the Kogi Central Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Stakeholders’ Meeting, where party leaders, supporters, and key stakeholders gathered to deliberate on the future of the party in the district.

Her announcement follows months of consultations and sustained appeals from constituents across the five local government areas of Kogi Central, as well as encouragement from her family.

“After due consultations and encouragement from my husband, I am here to say I have accepted your calls to re-contest for my second term as your senator,” she said.

Meanwhile, former governor, Yahaya Bello has also declared his intention to contest the Kogi Central Senatorial seat, signalling a potentially fierce political showdown.

Bello made his declaration during a visit to the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, where he met with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community stakeholders from across the district.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s decision comes amid a wave of endorsements from party faithful and community leaders, which has intensified over the past four months, indicating strong grassroots support for her candidacy.

In her remarks, the senator emphasised the need for unity within the PDP, urging stakeholders to prioritise reconciliation and inclusiveness ahead of the elections.

“This is the time to bring everyone back home. We must reconcile with those who may have had one issue or another, for the betterment of our party and the success of our elections ahead,” she said.

Speaking at the meeting, the PDP Kogi Central Zonal Chairman, Hon. Anthony Akuvada, commended her leadership, describing her as a transformational figure whose impact has been widely felt across the district.

Akuvada also praised her commitment to inclusive governance, noting that her accessibility and consistent engagement with constituents have strengthened the bond between leadership and the people.

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The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, has expressed confidence that the re-election of Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji is a done deal on the strength of his record of performance and the massive support he enjoys from the people of the state.

The APC National Chairman emphasized that the national leadership of the party is proud of what Governor Oyebanji has done and achieved in three and a half years in office and would give him an unflinching support to win another term in office for the benefit of Ekiti people and for continuity of good governance being enjoyed in the state.

Prof Yilwatda, who spoke at the Ekiti State APC/BAO Governorship Campaign Flag-Off that was attended by a mammoth crowd at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado Ekiti, the state capital on Monday, said other political parties and their governorship candidates are no match for the ruling party and Governor Oyebanji who are poised to record an unprecedented victory at the election scheduled for June 20.

The National Chairman’s confidence of victory for Governor Oyebanji was also echoed by the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), a body of governors elected on the platform of the party led by Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma and the National Campaign Council led by Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani.

All former Ekiti State governors, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Chief Ayodele Fayose, Chief Segun Oni and Dr Kayode Fayemi also threw their weight behind the re-election of Governor Oyebanji urging the people of the state to massively cast their votes for him and his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye for the good works to continue.

Apparently impressed by the track record of Governor Oyebanji, the APC National Chairman, Prof Yilwatda requested Governor Oyebanji , also known as BAO to come out and “take a bow” before the people of Ekiti State on each sector where he had made impact on governance, turning around the fortunes of the state and serving as a unifier and rallying point for all people in the state irrespective of their ethnic, cultural, religious and political affiliations.

Prof Yilwatda said: “For bringing all the people of the state together, I want you Mr Governor to take a bow. For bringing people of different ethnic groups in Ekiti like Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Ebira, Urhobo and other ethnic nationalities and ensuring unity in your state, please take a bow.

“For building roads, bridges, hospitals, health centres, schools and other major infrastructures across the state, take a bow. In fact, BAO (Oyebanji) supports agriculture and his support for agriculture makes it more easy for Ekiti people to be pounding yam and eating pounded yam and this has guaranteed food security, take a bow.

“Ekiti is one of the most secure states in Nigeria. BAO works very hard to ensure security of lives and property, take a bow. On behalf of the National Working Committee and APC members nationwide, we stand with you today to say that this election is already won because all other parties na so-so yeye, all other candidates na so-so yeye.

“Prepare pounded yam for your swearing-in because the election is already won. Ekiti people on election day, wear your canvass (trainers), wear your jeans go out and vote for BAO.”

Speaking for the governors, the Chairman of APC Governors’ Forum, Governor Hope Uzodinma, said the fact that the then fragmented Ekiti is now solidly united, was suffice for Oyebanji to be reelected, assuring that the governor won’t disappoint in terms of delivery and display of humility.

“If you vote for Governor Oyebanji, you have voted for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He is addressing the crises of food insecurity, infrastructure deficit, unemployment, insecurity and others. Vote for him, he won’t let you down. “

In his address, Kaduna State Governor and Chairman, APC National Campaign Committee for Ekiti election, Senator Uba Sani, was upbeat that the party will triumph in the governorship poll on the strength of Oyebanji’s exhilarating performance and acceptability across the board.

Sani described Ekiti as a state of high intellectual hub and integrity, who requires being governed by people with cognitive power and high mental ability to be able to sail the ship to a safe shore, assuring that the coming election is not going to be personality clashes.

The Kaduna governor said he was proud to fraternise with Oyebanji and loudly campaign for his reelection, having constructed over 350 kilometres of roads across the 16 local governments, while embarking on series of human-friendly programmes to build the enormous resources available to Ekiti .

The APC governor, who described the Oyebanji as one of the best governors in the country, said he was happy at Oyebanji’s record of achievements especialy the remodeling of all the primary healthcare centres and public schools in the state, thereby making lives more rewarding for the people.

“This is the time to move forward, not to move backward. Vote for continuity, vote for prosperity, vote for stability and development. Let your vote resonate round the country. We will engage every community, every individual, listen to them and mobilise for victory. “

In his speech, Oyebanji who told the cheering crowd that he has fulfilled the social contract he signed with the people in 2022, praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for exhibiting special interest for the development of the state and its people .

In his short speech, Oyebanji said: “We were here in 2022 to sign a contract with you. We thank God that we have been able to fulfil all these contracts. But all these were made possible because President Tinubu takes special interest in this state.

“In the 29 years of Ekiti creation, no President has been fair to Ekiti like President Tinubu. He reconstructed Ado-Akure road, Ado-Ifaki road and the notorious Ado-Aramoko road had been awarded for reconstruction among other projects.

“The way to repay him is to come out on June 20 and test the microphone by giving us here in Ekiti a minimum of 500,000 votes, so that the good jobs we are doing can continue”.

The Chairman of the 2026 Ekiti Campaign Council and the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, said Oyebanji has been able to make remarkable difference in the lives of the people, because he perfectly understands the language of development.

Bamidele, who aptly branded Oyebanji as a round peg in a round hole, assured Ekiti populace that the election will be based on constructive and intellectual engagements, not the the one that will be replete with hate speeches and morbid politicking.

“We have been able to progress as a people because we have a governor who understands the language of development. A round peg, in a round hole. We are proud of him. He is a unifier. A humble leader who can make us better if given the opportunity”.

Other dignitaries at the event were: Ekiti State First Lady, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, National Vice Chairman of the APC, Southwest, Isaac Kekemeke, Director General, Ekiti State Governorship Campaign Council, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, former Governors Kayode Fayemi, Ayo Fayose, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Segun Oni, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Hon Femi Bamisile, Senator Ayo Arise, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, Hon Oyetunde Ojo, members of the National and State Assemblies and other high profile APC members.

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Political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections have taken a new dimension as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has openly invited two prominent figures in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, to leave their embattled party, align with its platform and vie for the presidency under its banner.

In a statement shared via its official X handle on Sunday, the NDC indicated what it described as a limited timeframe of two weeks for political alignment, indicating urgency in its outreach.

“All we need right now. Just all we need. 2 weeks to deadline,” the party wrote.

The post was accompanied by an image showing Obi and Kwankwaso in a handshake, under the caption: “Nigeria will be OK”.

The development comes amid emerging discussions within sections of the political space, where supporters of both Obi and Kwankwaso recently floated a mobilisation initiative tagged the “OK Movement”, aimed at building support around a possible joint political arrangement ahead of the 2027 elections.

Following the launch of the movement, Justin Ijeh, its national publicity secretary, announced the constitution of its national executive council as well as zonal and state-level structures, signalling an attempt at deeper organisational footing.

Meanwhile, the ADC continues to grapple with internal leadership disputes that have raised questions about its cohesion ahead of the next election cycle. The matter is currently before the Supreme Court, which on April 22 reserved judgement in an appeal filed by supporters of the David Mark-led leadership against a suit instituted by factional chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe.

On the regulatory side, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set May 30, 2026, as the deadline for political parties to submit their membership registers and nominate candidates for the 2027 general elections.

But certain opposition parties have collectively expressed concern over the timetable. On Saturday, they urged the electoral commission to extend the deadline for party primaries to the end of July, arguing that the current schedule could create structural disadvantages.

The appeal was backed by key opposition formations including the factional ADC under David Mark’s leadership, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction led by Kabiru Turaki, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

According to the parties, the existing electoral timetable places undue pressure on political organisations and may affect internal democratic processes ahead of the general elections.