Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Bashir Gegu, has cautioned that the All Progressives Congress (APC) risks losing Kogi State in the 2027 general elections if President Bola Tinubu sidelines former Governor Yahaya Bello.

Speaking at a political gathering in Kogi Local Council, Gegu described the ex-governor as the architect of the state’s current political structure and a decisive factor in the ruling party’s continued dominance.

The speech, which he shared on his Facebook page, quoted the commissioner as saying: “If former Governor Yahaya Bello is not carried along, APC cannot win Kogi State. That is the plain truth.”

He dismissed social media’s criticism of a recent rally in Lokoja, insisting it was not about power play, but an expression of gratitude to Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for their leadership.

Gegu added, “The rally was a show of appreciation, not a protest. But let no one make the mistake — without Yahaya Bello, there’s no APC victory in Kogi.”

The commissioner credited Bello for laying the groundwork for political stability and federal visibility in the state, saying his influence still cuts across all districts.

Political observers see Gegu’s comments as a veiled reminder to the APC leadership that any attempt to sideline Bello could splinter the party’s base in Kogi — a key swing state in the North Central region — ahead of the 2027 polls.