By Oboy Amos Alfa
The political history of Kogi East deserves to be told with honesty, fairness, consistency, and a proper understanding of the events that have shaped our political journey.
The 2015 Political Realignment: A Lesson in Capacity and Popular Will
In 2015, the protest vote that contributed to the APC’s victory in Kogi State was closely associated with the political capacity, influence, and following of Distinguished Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho. His earlier governorship ambition had been frustrated under the administration of former Governor Ibrahim Idris, a development that contributed to the grievances of many of his supporters.
The political consequences of that period remain an important part of Kogi East’s political history. They remind us that when the aspirations of a people are overlooked, the consequences can extend beyond individual ambitions and influence the broader political landscape.
2019: When Stakeholders Sought Echocho’s Participation
In 2019, the political narrative took another significant turn. Kogi East stakeholders and political appointees reportedly travelled from Kogi State to Abuja and to Lagos to appeal to Echocho to accept the APC senatorial ticket. The appeal was so significant that a traditional ruler also reportedly intervened to persuade him to accept the responsibility.
Echocho eventually obliged their request, contested the election, and emerged victorious with a very wide margin.
This history raises a fundamental question: If Echocho possessed the political capacity, experience, and electoral value that stakeholders considered important enough to seek his participation in 2019, what has suddenly changed today?
Has his political experience diminished, or have the political calculations of some stakeholders simply changed?
These are legitimate questions that deserve honest answers.
2023: A Call for Continuity
In 2023, Echocho was again reportedly persuaded to pursue a second term in the Senate rather than pursue another political ambition that could complicate the governorship calculations in Kogi Central.
He accepted the call for continuity and continued to represent Kogi East.
It is therefore difficult to understand why the same political capacity that was previously recognized, sought after, and considered valuable is now being questioned in the current political conversation.
Political maturity demands consistency. We cannot celebrate a leader’s capacity when it serves our immediate political interests and question his relevance when the political calculations change.
If there are concerns about his performance, let them be presented through facts, evidence, and constructive engagement. Our political decisions should be guided by verifiable achievements, accountability, fairness, and the genuine interests of our people—not by convenience or changing alliances.
Our Position: Echocho Continuity, 2027-2031!
Our position is clear: Kogi East deserves continuity with responsibility, experience with accountability, and representation with purpose.
Our senatorial representation must not be treated merely as a bargaining instrument for the advancement of political interests outside the aspirations of our people. The future of Kogi East must be determined through fairness, meaningful consultation, respect for democratic principles, and recognition of the legitimate expectations of our constituents.
We respectfully call on APC leaders, Kogi East stakeholders, and the wider political community to reflect on Echocho’s political history, experience, contributions, and the importance of continuity in effective representation.
The objective should not be to create divisions within the APC but to promote fairness, preserve political relationships, strengthen party unity, and sustain the confidence of the people in the democratic process.
Reconciliation is welcome. Dialogue is necessary. Unity is desirable. However, genuine reconciliation must be built on fairness, sincerity, and respect for the aspirations of Kogi East.
Any form of collaboration or reconciliation that does not recognize Echocho as the consensus candidate for Kogi East is not the outcome we are advocating for. Our commitment is to a process that respects the people, values experience, and gives proper consideration to continuity.
Let history guide our decisions. Let consistency shape our politics. Let fairness prevail in our party. Above all, let the people of Kogi East have a meaningful voice in determining who represents them.
Our position is not about personal hostility toward any individual. It is about principle, political consistency, regional interest, and the future of our senatorial representation.
Our call remains firm and clear: RETURN DISTINGUISHED SENATOR JIBRIN ISAH ECHOCHO FOR CONTINUITY, 2027–2031!
ON ECHOCHO’S MANDATE, WE STAND TILL 2031!
Continuity with Responsibility. Experience with Accountability. Representation with Purpose.
– Oboy Amos Alfa writes from Dekina
