A couple of months ago, this journey started in this ancient city which is also the headquarters of Igala Kingdom that accommodates the Attah (father) of Igala.
Idah made history when Senator-elect Dr. Jibrin Isah (Echocho) emerged the Senatorial flagbearer of his party (APC) following a primary election held in October, 2018. The election was adjudged one of the fairest and freest Senatorial contests in the recent history of Kogi east.
To buttress this point, the agent of the opponent of Dr. Isah in that election, Hon. Solomon Agada, had since pitch tent with the camp of Dr. Isah and even had his principal, Yahaya Audu, branded a car carrying the image of Echocho and other APC candidates/stalwarts. This indeed was a further demonstration of sportsmanship that characterized the contest.
Today, in this same city, another phase of history is unfolded as Echocho gallantly coast home to victory with the declaration of final results after the February 23rd Kogi East senatorial election resulted to a rerun which was concluded a couple of hours ago.
Echocho pulled a total of 134, 189 votes to defeat his closest co-contestant–Senator Attai Aidoko of the PDP who scored a total of 74, 201 votes.
Considering the chequered history of Kogi East senatorial zone which has seen a whole legislative session of four years wasted to constant but avoidable litigation, with one Senator in today and another out tomorrow, today’s victory can therefore be appropriately described as a victory for the entire people of Kogi East who have suffered undeserved neglect.
It is a victory that points us in the direction of hope in the horizon. This audacity of hope is embedded in the antecedent and the character of the person of Dr. Jibrin Isah.
Dr. Isah had previously positively affected thousands of lives in various capacities as a private citizen.
As the real work commences in days from now, it is expedient to, first and foremost, thank all across the zone who had/have faith in the ability and capacity of Echocho to represent the good people of Kogi East. To all those who thought otherwise, this is no time to draw a line between those who supported and those who did not. This victory belongs to all of us and I shall be a Senator for all irrespective of party affiliation and individual convictions. This time calls for all hands on deck so that, collectively we can recover the lost grounds.
As we celebrate therefore, we call on all, especially our brothers who contested along with Echocho, to remain steadfast and be ready to offer advice as we strive to rewrite the history of Kogi East for good.
Thank you all.
– Atokolo Onalo
