Cally Ikpe, Ph.D
The palpable energy, boldness, and charisma that characterized a youthful Yahaya Bello, immediately set him apart when he assumed office as the Governor of Kogi State in January 2016. The unusual circumstances preceding his emergence—following the sudden death of the APC candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, in November 2015 on the verge of victory—laid the groundwork for the intense national attention Bello would continue to attract.
To many young Nigerians, he represented a long-awaited shift in youthful governance. Like many others, I was drawn to his dynamic persona. Seeking to collaborate on a youth-focused peace advocacy initiative, I sought the assistance of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to arrange a meeting with him. Although reliable sources confirmed he approved the request almost immediately, administrative delays frustrated that initial attempt.
I tried again during his second term, and on Christmas Day in 2020, I finally met him face-to-face at his residence in Abuja. Warm and welcoming, he remarked: “Cally, you have me all day. It’s taken too long—do with me as you please.” Beyond the pleasantries, we engaged in an extensive interview that further revealed his leadership depth. He struck me as highly cerebral, pragmatic, straightforward, and intensely committed to security. He unhesitatingly threw his full weight behind my advocacy project—a commitment he demonstrated by hosting our major national peace symposium in Lokoja in 2021.
The event brought together key stakeholders from across the nation, including governors, ministers, traditional rulers (led by the Ooni of Ife), civil society leaders, journalists, and entertainers. His support was nothing short of unprecedented.
Through our interactions over the years, one trait remained clear: Yahaya Bello possesses an extraordinary drive to challenge orthodoxies and push beyond traditional administrative constraints.
Amidst several defining public moments, his unconventional stance during the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 remains one of the most prominent. Viewing the global panic with strong skepticism, he openly questioned the severity of the virus and rejected rigid lockdowns, mask mandates, and stringent protocols in Kogi State.
Remarkably, life and commerce in the state continued with minimal disruption. His willingness to voice contrarian views emerged again in December 2020 following the abduction of over 300 students from Government Science Secondary School Kankara, Katsina State. Bello publicly challenged the logistics surrounding reports of such massive numbers being moved unnoticed, arguing that even moving that many farm animals unhindered would be near impossible. Driven by a desire to tackle the nation’s security challenges, he repeatedly offered to oversee specialized emergency security operations, expressing confidence in his capacity to decisively curb insurgency and banditry.
This strong drive eventually led him to enter the 2022 APC presidential primaries. Although he did not secure the ticket, his party loyalty remained firm; he promptly integrated his campaign structure into the presidential campaign of the eventual candidate and winner, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Even after completing his second gubernatorial term in January 2024, Bello’s engagement with public life has continued. In a political landscape often defined by rifts between predecessors and successors, the synergy between Bello and his successor, Governor Usman Ododo, stands out as a notable exception.
Beyond political circles, his private philanthropy remains active. A recent instance involved his intervention for a struggling sugarcane vendor, where he provided financial support, empowerment, and helped reconcile her family. His quiet support—ranging from educational scholarships and housing assistance to vehicle donations—reflects his personal philosophy: “You don’t have to make a show of helping your people.”
As political dynamics evolve, Yahaya Bello remains a distinct voice in national governance. Whether in executive capacities or prospective legislative roles, such as the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, his brand of leadership will undoubtedly continue to shape public discourse. For me, the most enduring impression is of a man driven by an unusually strong belief in his own capacity to change things.
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Whether that conviction ultimately becomes his greatest political strength or requires further refinement with experience is a matter history will determine. What I can testify to is the man I personally encountered: confident, cerebral, direct, energetic, charismatic, politically ambitious and deeply convinced that public leadership should be used to make a difference.
That is the Yahaya Bello I know.
