2027: Yahaya Bello’s Grassroots Legacy, Youth Empowerment Will Deliver Kogi Central Victory — SSA Amodu Abubakar
***Governor Ododo’s Grassroots Mobilisation Aide Says Former Governor’s Eight-Year Record Remains His Strongest Campaign Asset
LOKOJA – The Senior Special Assistant to the Kogi State Governor on Grassroots Mobilisation, Hon. Amodu Abubakar, has declared that the remarkable legacy of former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in grassroots development and youth empowerment has continued to resonate across communities, expressing confidence that the former governor’s record of service would earn him overwhelming support should he contest the Kogi Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 general election.
Hon. Amodu made the assertion while reflecting on the achievements recorded during Bello’s eight-year administration, describing the former governor as a transformational leader whose people-centred policies reshaped rural communities, empowered thousands of young people, and laid enduring foundations for sustainable development across Kogi State.
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According to him, the extensive road construction and rehabilitation projects executed across Lokoja, Okene, Kabba, Ankpa, Olamaboro and several other communities significantly improved rural-urban connectivity, enhanced agricultural productivity, stimulated commerce and opened up previously underserved communities to economic opportunities.
He further highlighted Bello’s massive investment in the healthcare sector, noting that the rehabilitation and upgrading of primary healthcare centres in more than 120 communities, alongside the establishment and improvement of specialist hospitals in Gegu-Beki, Isanlu and Ajaokuta, brought quality healthcare services closer to the grassroots.
The Governor’s aide also commended the former governor’s labour-friendly policies, particularly his decision to protect jobs at the local government level through prudent management of available resources instead of embarking on mass retrenchment, describing the move as a demonstration of compassionate and responsible leadership.
Hon. Amodu equally praised the construction of landmark public infrastructure, including the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre and the transformation of the Lokoja Stadium into the 15,000-capacity Muhammadu Buhari Square, saying the facilities have become strategic centres for government programmes, civic engagements and community activities.
On youth development, he described Bello as one of the strongest advocates of youth empowerment in Kogi State’s history, citing numerous skill acquisition and entrepreneurship programmes that equipped thousands of young people with practical skills, financial independence and the capacity to become employers of labour.
He further applauded Bello’s investments in education, including the establishment of GYB Model Science Secondary Schools, the creation of an additional state university that positioned Kogi as the first North-Central state with three state-owned universities, and the payment of WAEC and NECO examination fees for public secondary school students, which he said improved access to quality education and encouraged school enrolment.
Hon. Amodu also described the former governor as a champion of inclusion, recalling his appointment of youths and women into strategic positions, including the emergence of a female Secretary to the State Government and Nigeria’s first female Aide-de-Camp serving under a state governor.
He maintained that Bello’s leadership style inspired confidence among young people and strengthened grassroots participation in governance, adding that the former governor’s developmental footprint remains visible across the state.
“The people have not forgotten the roads, hospitals, schools, empowerment programmes and opportunities that transformed lives during Alhaji Yahaya Bello’s administration. His enduring achievements continue to speak louder than words and remain a powerful testimony of purposeful leadership,” Amodu stated.
Expressing optimism ahead of the 2027 political season, the SSA on Grassroots Mobilisation said the former governor’s record of performance, widespread goodwill and enduring connection with the people would serve as a formidable advantage in any electoral contest.
He concluded that Bello’s legacy of grassroots development, infrastructural renewal, educational advancement, youth empowerment and inclusive governance has firmly cemented his place among the most impactful leaders in Kogi State’s political history, expressing confidence that such achievements would continue to inspire overwhelming support from the people of Kogi Central.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JUNE 29TH 2026)
