Former Kogi State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Kogi Central, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has disclosed that he employed legal and political strategies to prevent the Federal Government from selling the Ajaokuta Steel Company during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Bello made the disclosure on Saturday while addressing APC supporters during his ongoing consultation tour of Ajaokuta Local Government Area ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the Ajaokuta Steel Company remained a strategic national asset, stressing that he could not allow efforts to dispose of the facility without putting up a fight to protect its interests.
The former governor, who was given a rousing reception in Okene last week, visited the three districts of Ajaokuta Local Government Area – Eganyi, Ebiya and Ajaokuta – where he held meetings with traditional rulers, political leaders, stakeholders and party supporters.
His first stop was the palace of the Ohi of Ajaokuta, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Isah Musa Achuja, where traditional council members from Eganyi and Ebiya districts had gathered to receive him.
Bello paid homage to the monarch and sought his royal permission to enter the community and interact with the people. The traditional ruler subsequently offered prayers for the former governor and highlighted what he described as his contributions to the development of Ajaokuta and Kogi State.
The monarch also pledged to mobilise his subjects to support and appreciate Bello for what he described as his contributions to the area.
From the palace, Bello proceeded to meetings with political associates and supporters, who welcomed him with solidarity songs and chants.
He also introduced APC candidates contesting the 2027 elections, including Hon. Sanni Egidi Abdulraheem, House of Representatives candidate; Hon. Moses Aguva and Hon. Aliyu Akaba Mustapha, State Assembly candidates; and Hon. Haruna Ganaja, chairmanship candidate.
Bello urged residents to support the APC candidates across the ballot and called for votes for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the continued administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
The former governor later moved to Ajaokuta District, where residents of Ganaja and neighbouring communities gathered to receive him.
He thanked the people for their continued support and announced plans to organise a mega rally in Ajaokuta as part of efforts to strengthen party unity and mobilise support ahead of the 2027 elections.
Bello also visited the palace of the Anaja Gaku of Ganaja, where traditional rulers from Ajaokuta District gathered to receive him and offer royal blessings.
Those who accompanied him on the tour included Senator Abubakar Sadiq Ohere; 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 tour is expected to continue in other local government areas within Kogi Central Senatorial District in the coming days.