Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi East Senatorial District have explained the defeat of incumbent senator, Jibrin Isah Echocho, in the party’s senatorial primary election, insisting that the outcome reflected both the will of party members and an existing zoning understanding within the district.
The APC leaders, who addressed journalists at a press conference in Lokoja on Tuesday, said the May 20 primary election was free, fair and credible, urging aggrieved aspirants to accept the outcome in the interest of party unity and cohesion ahead of future elections.
Their intervention comes amid growing controversy surrounding the Kogi East APC senatorial primary following complaints and grievances raised by supporters of Senator Echocho over the outcome of the exercise.
Consensus Efforts and Direct Primary
The stakeholders, led by Abubakar Y. Rajab, said the party had initially explored consensus arrangements through consultations involving elders, party executives and opinion leaders across the district, but later opted for direct primaries after disagreements emerged among stakeholders.
According to them, the direct primary provided all aspirants equal opportunity to test their popularity, grassroots appeal and acceptability among APC members across Kogi East.
Zoning Arrangement
While defending the credibility of the election, the APC leaders disclosed that Senator Echocho had earlier been informed of a zoning arrangement which, according to them, ceded the Kogi East senatorial seat to Ankpa Federal Constituency after the completion of his second term in the Senate.
They explained that the arrangement was part of a long-standing political understanding designed to promote fairness, inclusion and peaceful coexistence among the federal constituencies that make up Kogi East Senatorial District.
The stakeholders further alleged that Echocho had accepted the arrangement and appreciated former Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello and Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo for supporting his two-term stay in the Senate.
“We were therefore surprised when he later obtained the nomination form and joined the race despite the gentleman’s understanding already reached,” the stakeholders stated.
Democratic Process Upheld
Despite the alleged agreement, they maintained that the APC did not stop Echocho from contesting the primary election, insisting that he was allowed to participate freely alongside other aspirants in line with democratic principles.
“The outcome of the primary election has now settled the matter democratically and decisively. No political structure can stand against the collective will of party members,” the stakeholders declared.
They added that party members turned out massively during the direct primary election and voted without intimidation, coercion or manipulation.
“The voices of party members resonated louder than the whispers of political convenience,” they added, while insisting that the process produced the most credible and politically marketable candidate for the party.
Commendations and Appeals
The APC stakeholders also commended Bola Ahmed Tinubu for promoting internal democracy within the ruling party and praised Nentawe Yilwatda and members of the National Working Committee for strengthening democratic processes in the APC.
They equally applauded former Governor Bello for his political leadership in Kogi State and Governor Ododo for ensuring what they described as a level playing field for all aspirants during the primaries.
The leaders appealed to all aggrieved aspirants and their supporters to embrace reconciliation and place the unity and stability of the APC above personal ambitions.
They expressed confidence that the APC would remain united in Kogi East and mobilise massive support for President Tinubu and other party candidates in future elections.
