Yahaya Bello remains my Boss, and I am loyal to him come rain, come shine – Sen. Ohere

Former senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Sadiku Abubakar Ohere has firmly denied any rift between him and former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

Addressing the issue in an interview with journslists on Monday, Ohere emphasized his unwavering loyalty to Bello, describing the former governor as both his political mentor and leader.

“I have repeatedly said in several fora, and during my electioneering campaigns that my involvement in politics is directly linked to Yahaya Bello.

“He is my boss and my political leader. My journey in politics began because of him, and it remains so.”

Ohere dismissed speculation of discord, which emerged during the final days of Bello’s governorship. He described such rumors as mere political maneuvering. “The so-called political crisis and allegations of betrayal are just—political games. They have no basis in reality,” Ohere asserted.

Also, the former senator made it clear that his allegiance to Bello is steadfast, even if Bello were to switch political affiliations.

“If Yahaya Bello chose to join the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) today, I would not hesitate to follow him there.

“Likewise, if he decides on any other course of action, I will support him unequivocally. He is my mentor, and my commitment to him remains absolute.”

Ohere’s statement highlights his commitment to Yahaya Bello and his belief in the integrity of their political relationship.

Senator Ohere emphasized that their relationship remains exceptionally cordial, highlighting that he is the only member of Bello’s cabinet to earn the nickname “Ozoboro,” from him, which he said means “worthy man.”

This affectionate title, Ohere noted, is a term of endearment that Bello used during their phone conversations, especially after exchanging pleasantries.

Senator Ohere further elaborated on the strength of their bond by revealing that he calls the former governor daily to pay his respects, underscoring the mutual respect and ongoing communication between the two leaders.

Addressing recent allegations of a plot to undermine the victory of the current Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, Ohere labeled these claims as “totally misleading and misinterpreted.”

He defended his stance by recalling his productive working relationship with Ododo during his tenure as Commissioner for Local Government Affairs.

Ohere expressed that he is among the most pleased by Ododo’s ascension to the governorship, given his trust in Ododo’s capabilities.

Commenting on internal party issues, Ohere admitted that there were past disagreements but characterized them as mismanaged.

He emphasized that, as a leader, he had to address the issues thoroughly, without any favoritism.

“Let us follow logic, I was already in the senate at that time as a sitting senator, and before you can vie for the position of governor, you must have obtained form to contest as a governor, I didn’t obtain form to contest for governor, so where is the allegation coming from”, he quizzed.

“My involvement in the whole scenario, number one, in the GYB administration, apart from the fact that I played prominent roles across the state, as far Kogi Central was concerned, I was the leader of political appointees.

“Then if I am the leader, certain roles are expected of me, then if I am playing those roles positively, you might have stepped on some toes as well, but not Ododo”, he explained.

Reflecting on his tenure at the Senate, Ohere described it as “fantastic and impactful.”

According to him, during his tenure, he addressed every critical issue affecting his constituents, ensuring their welfare was prioritized. “There was no crucial issue regarding the welfare of my people that I did not attend to,” he affirmed.

Looking ahead, he remains optimistic about his future in politics, describing it as both “promising and pregnant.”

He expressed his reliance on divine guidance to shape his future endeavors and reiterated his commitment to advocating for good representation and governance for his people.

When questioned about his potential candidacy for the 2027 elections, Ohere stated that his decision would be influenced by the will of God and the preferences of the Ebira people.

“The future belongs to God, and it is not for me to predict how it will look. The Ebira people have seen what I accomplished in my brief time in the Senate, and whatever emerges from their wishes, I will align with,” he said.

He proudly highlighted his achievement of securing the chairmanship of a key Senate committee, as a first-time senator, such as Senate committee on local content, an accomplishment he believes would have enabled him to better serve his district through job creation and empowerment programs.

Ohere was also a member of senate committees on works, health, solid minerals, fema, Fct, amongst others.

The former senator expressed regret over his short stay in the Senate, which he said curtailed his plans to make substantial improvements in the lives of his constituents, particularly the youth and women. Ohere lamented that his ouster from the Senate interrupted his efforts to effect meaningful change.

Also reflecting on his initiatives, the former Senator recalled setting up a committee in 2015 to assess and update the skills of local residents, discovering that many skills were outdated. He credited his tenure with facilitating the introduction of the UBER transportation system to the region, which he believed was a significant achievement.

He emotionally recounted how the support and celebrations from women and youth in his community profoundly affected him, particularly those lacking access to education.

Through his Ohere Education Outreach program, headquartered in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), he provided financial assistance to students pursuing capital-intensive courses, ensuring they had the resources needed for their education.

He emphasized that many of these students are now employed and benefiting from the network he established.

Senator Ohere’s tenure was cut short when the appeal court, ruling in favor of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), annulled his election. Despite this setback, Ohere’s focus remains on continuing to advocate for his constituents and ensuring that their needs are met.