By joshua 
Ohere’s Return: Why Kogi Central Wants the ‘First Refusal’ Hero Back in 2027
By Abu Micheal
Senator Abubakar Sadiku Ohere, a metallurgical engineer turned lawmaker, captured the Kogi Central Senatorial seat in 2023 only to have his victory overturned by the Court of Appeal after seven months.
Yet, the narrative of his brief but impactful tenure—marked by motions on local content, advocacy for Ajaokuta Steel, and tangible community projects—continues to resonate.
As 2027 looms, supporters are rallying for his “first‑refusal” claim to the APC ticket, insisting that Ohere’s proven track record and deep‑rooted service are exactly what Kogi Central needs to finish the work he started.
Ohere is a many of many part, with noteable accomplishments, rich profile, many Kogi Central Constituents are of the view that Sen. Ohere having paid his dues should be allowed to return to continue with the good works he started during his brief but eventful stay in the red chamber.
All options considered, Ohere is a diligent Engineer, a compassionate servant‑leader, and a bridge‑builder whose footprints in Kogi Central remains indelible.
In all honesty, Ohere, the Engineer‑Turned‑Lawmaker fight for Kogi Central’s Revival is limitless. The fact still remains that many are still rooting to have him represent the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District in 2027.
The story of Engr. Ohere in summation, is that of a man that is love and has in his politics lived for the people.
Abubakar Sadiku Ohere was born on July 13, 1966, in Okene, Kogi State. He holds an OND and HND in Metallurgical Engineering (Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin; Federal Polytechnic, Idah), a Master’s in Mining Engineering (FUT Akure), and an honorary PhD from the State University of New York (2017).
A Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) and Member of several professional bodies (COREN, COMEG, NSE), Ohere spent two decades in the civil service, rising to management level in the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development before entering politics.
His political journey begun in 2016 – 2019 as Special Adviser and later Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Kogi State.
He served between 2020 – 2022 as Commissioner for Works and Housing under former Governor Yahaya Bello.
In 2023, Ohere won the Kogi Central Senatorial election, but the victory was overturned by the Court of Appeal after seven months, with Natasha Akpoti (PDP) declared winner.
Despite the brief tenure, Ohere left a mark: he moved motions on local content, supported the resuscitation of Ajaokuta Steel, and championed bills that pushed for community empowerment and infrastructure development.
He has to his credit several accomplishments and community impact, particularly in the area of Education and Skills empowerment.
Ohere paid WAEC fees for 100 students, JAMB fees for over 300 candidates; built classrooms at Lenon Memorial College and St. Andrew’s School, Okene.
His infrastructure contribution saw Ohere complete the Ozuwaya Central Mosque, drilled boreholes in Etahi, Idatochi, New Zango, Oziokutu; supplied transformers and solar lights to Anyoke, Adavi Central, Nagazi Uvete Akete‑Ohu.
In his empowerment initiative, Ohere distributed sewing machines to market women, gave N100,000 seed money to 100 youths after vocational training in soap making, detergents, and palm‑oil production.
His intelligence and intellectual capability saw Ohere, a first timer become the Senate Committee Chair on Local Content, where he pushed for the implementation of the Local Content Act, oversaw compliance audits in the petroleum sector, and promoted indigenous capability.
There is a public perception that with 2027 outlook, a year of another general election, many of Ohere’s
supporters argue that with his engineering background, proven constituency work, that he should be given the option of “first‑refusal” claim to the APC ticket, pointing out that he remains the best candidate to finish what he started.
Community groups like the Lions Club of Ebiraland, Youth associations and traditional leaders, like the Ohinoyi of Ebira land in a birthday tribute have publicly rallied behind him, citing his humility, loyalty to tradition, and “bridge‑building” approach across party lines as what stands Ohere to tower above his peers.
Those who are however in his support, note that the court‑driven setback, the need for fresh voices for the people of the Central Senatorial District should be advantage that pushes Ohere ahead the other gladiators.
Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, Governor of Kogi State a forum had this to say about Ohere; “Senator Ohere embodies purpose, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to public good. His blend of technical expertise and grassroots engineering is exactly what Kogi Central needs to finish the projects he started.”
Without mincing words and a cursory look at the man, life, politics and accomplishments of Sen. Engr. Ohere, point to the fact that in APC, Kogi Central Senatorial District, it will be Ohere versus the others, in who gets the peoples nod.
Senator Abubakar Sadiku Ohere, a metallurgical engineer turned lawmaker, captured the Kogi Central Senatorial seat in 2023 only to have his victory overturned by the Court of Appeal after seven months. Yet, the narrative of his brief but impactful tenure—marked by motions on local content, advocacy for Ajaokuta Steel, and tangible community projects—continues to resonate. As 2027 looms, supporters are rallying for his “first‑refusal” claim to the APC ticket, insisting that Ohere’s proven track record and deep‑rooted service are exactly what Kogi Central needs to finish the work he started.