As political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gather momentum, attention is gradually shifting to Lokoja 1 State Constituency where the three major political parties — the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — are preparing for what observers describe as a keenly contested race.
Among the frontline contenders is the candidate of the ruling APC, the incumbent lawmaker representing Lokoja 1 State Constituency at the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Tijjani Shehu Ebi-eya, who reportedly emerged through a consensus arrangement within the party.
However, political watchers within the constituency insist that his emergence has continued to generate mixed reactions among party stakeholders and loyalists.
A senior APC member who spoke with this medium on condition of anonymity alleged that the process that produced the incumbent lawmaker was not entirely accepted by some critical stakeholders within the party.
According to him, “there are still unresolved issues within the party regarding the consensus arrangement. Some aspirants and their supporters feel consultations were not far-reaching enough before the decision was taken.”
Another APC stakeholder also questioned the justification for granting the incumbent a second term ticket, insisting that performance and fairness should be prioritised above personal loyalty.
“Second term should be based on achievements, not loyalty to a few individuals, especially when justice and fairness are ignored. This is the turn of Ward A, but due to injustice we were ignored,” the party member alleged.
Despite the concerns raised by some aggrieved members, supporters of the incumbent lawmaker maintain that Hon. Ebi-eya deserves another term, citing his loyalty to the party and what they described as his contributions to legislative activities and grassroots engagement.
Meanwhile, the ADC appears to be positioning itself as a strong alternative platform in the constituency following the emergence of Hon. Bambu Tanko Ali as the party’s consensus candidate.
Speaking on the development, Alhaji Sulaiman Ahmed expressed confidence in the ADC candidate, describing him as a popular figure with growing grassroots acceptance.
“Though I am not politically inclined, with the emergence of Hon. Bambu, I and my entire family will cast our votes for him,” he said.
Some political analysts are also of the opinion that Hon. Bambu Tanko Ali’s popularity as a former footballer, coupled with the political influence and legacies of his late father, Alhaji Tanko Ali, and his late uncle, Danjuma Anna, may serve as added advantages in the race.
Analysts further believe that the ADC candidate may benefit from youth support and sympathy from voters seeking a departure from the traditional political structure within the constituency.
On the part of the PDP, the party is currently battling internal challenges and, as at the time of filing this report, no candidate had officially emerged for the Lokoja 1 State Constituency race.
When contacted, the state chairman of the party assured our correspondent that the PDP would soon present a credible and widely acceptable candidate capable of competing favourably in the election.
Despite the party’s internal crisis, some observers believe the PDP still possesses the structure and political history to stage a strong comeback if it succeeds in resolving its differences before the election season fully begins.
Observers say the 2027 contest may eventually be decided by factors such as party unity, candidate acceptability, zoning considerations, grassroots mobilisation, and the performance records of previous office holders.
With consultations, alignments, and political negotiations already ongoing across the constituency, residents of Lokoja 1 are expected to witness intense political activities in the coming months as the race gradually takes shape.
– Ahmad Musa writes from Lokoja.
