By Yekini Jimoh
Recent developments within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi East have continued to generate political tension following the outcome of the party’s senatorial primary election, where Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho reportedly lost the party’s ticket for the 2027 election.
Reports indicate that the senator has continued to reject the outcome, insisting he remains the authentic APC candidate for Kogi East.
The political atmosphere in Kogi East remains heated following the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election that produced a new candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho, who represented Kogi East in the Senate since 2019, has openly rejected the result of the primary election, insisting that he remains the authentic candidate of the party despite reports showing that he lost the contest.
His reaction has sparked widespread debate among party members and political observers, many of whom fear that the ongoing dispute could deepen divisions within the APC in Kogi East at a time the party is expected to consolidate its strength ahead of the next election cycle.
Political stakeholders in the district argue that party primaries are designed to produce winners and losers, and that the survival of any political party depends largely on the willingness of aspirants to accept the outcome of internal democratic processes.
Many supporters of the APC in Kogi East have expressed concern that continued resistance against the primary outcome may create unnecessary tension, weaken party unity, and provide opposition parties with an opportunity to exploit internal disagreements.
Observers also note that the senator’s insistence on remaining the “authentic candidate” despite the declaration of another aspirant by party structures may further complicate efforts at reconciliation within the APC.
For many party faithful, the expectation is that leaders who have benefited from the platform of the APC should place the collective interest of the party above personal ambition.
They believe that disagreements arising from primaries should be resolved through dialogue and lawful party mechanisms rather than public confrontations capable of inflaming political emotions.
The situation has also generated conversations about political loyalty and succession within Kogi politics. Some analysts believe the primary outcome reflected a shift in political alignment within the district, while others see it as a test of the APC’s internal stability ahead of 2027.
Despite the controversy, APC leaders in Kogi East are being urged to quickly unite aggrieved members and prevent further escalation that could threaten the party’s electoral chances in the region.
As political activities continue to gather momentum, many residents of Kogi East will be watching closely to see whether Senator Echocho chooses reconciliation and party unity or sustains his battle against the outcome of the primary election.
