By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
In a dramatic political turn, Yakubu Murtala Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party’s 2023 governorship candidate in Kogi State, has issued an emotional public apology to former Governor Yahaya Bello and called for unity – a move that political watchers are linking directly to his reported senatorial ambition under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The statement, signed by Ajaka on 4th May 2026, comes nearly three years after a bitterly contested election that saw APC’s Usman Ododo – Bello’s anointed successor – emerge governor. In it, Ajaka offers a “profound apology” for any offence caused during that clash, declares he has “let go of all grievances,” and extends a hand of “understanding and goodwill” to Bello.
“I wish to state, clearly and sincerely, that those differences were never personal, but driven by the circumstances of the time and the passion for the causes we each represented,” Ajaka wrote. “Where my actions or words may have caused offence, I PROFOUNDLY APOLOGIZE in the spirit of reconciliation.”
The former SDP flagbearer also paused to remember supporters who lost their lives during the electioneering period, praying that “Almighty God grants them eternal rest” – a sombre nod to the violence that marked that political season.
A Sharp Reversal of Fortunes
But for those who track Kogi’s intricate power webs, the apology is less about contrition and more about calculus.
Ajaka, who hails from Kogi East, is widely believed to be angling for a senatorial ticket under the APC – the same party he once fought against. The complication? Yahaya Bello, still a towering force in state politics, has reportedly endorsed another candidate from the same district, setting up a direct collision with Ajaka’s ambition.
“No ambition, no contest, and no individual interest is greater than the peace, stability, and collective advancement of Kogi State,” Ajaka said in his statement – a line that some political analysts interpret as a plea to Bello to reconsider his endorsement.
The former governor has yet to respond publicly to the olive branch.
The Journey of November 2023
Ajaka’s run that year was spirited. Under the SDP banner, he galvanised significant grassroots support, particularly in his home zone, challenging the APC’s grip on the state. The final result was never in serious doubt – Ododo won with a comfortable margin – but the campaign left scars. Relationships frayed, and the Ajaka-Bello rift became personal in the eyes of many supporters.
Now, Ajaka insists those differences were “never personal” but were “driven by the circumstances of the time.”
For critics, the timing is telling. With 2026 already here and preparations for the next electoral cycle underway, Ajaka’s sudden shift toward reconciliation raises questions about whether peace is the goal – or a pathway to power.
“We must remind ourselves that no ambition… is greater than the peace of Kogi State,” Ajaka said, perhaps pre-empting the charge.
What Happens Next?
The ball is now in Bello’s court. If the former governor accepts the apology and withdraws his reported anointed candidate, Ajaka could have a clear run at the APC senatorial ticket. If he does not, this statement may be remembered as a gambit that failed – or a sincere act of statesmanship, depending on who is telling the story.
Ajaka, for his part, insists his focus has moved “from division to unity, from the past to the future.”
“Together, we will move forward,” he concluded.
For now, Kogi East waits to see who will be part of that forward march – and who will be left behind.