The recent gathering by a few individuals in kogi sponsored by one failed aspirant against the alleged third-term ambition of Distinguished Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho is nothing but another desperate political distraction designed to mislead the public ahead of 2027.
Democracy is built on performance, acceptance, and the free will of the people not blackmail, propaganda, or media noise sponsored by political merchants afraid of continuity and results.
The truth remains that Senator Echocho has continued to distinguish himself as one of the most visible and impactful representatives Kogi East has produced in recent history. His track records in human capital development, infrastructure support, youth empowerment, educational interventions, federal appointments facilitation, and constituency projects speak louder than politically motivated press statements.
Those attacking the idea of a third term conveniently ignore the fact that experience and continuity have helped many regions across Nigeria attract greater dividends of democracy. In the Nigerian Senate today and in previous assemblies, several distinguished lawmakers served three terms and even beyond because their people saw value in continuity and effective representation.
Examples abound:
- Senator Jibrin Barau of Kano North served multiple terms in the National Assembly and today occupies the highly influential position of Deputy Senate President because of continuity, legislative experience, and the confidence reposed in him by his people.
- Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) has remained one of the most influential senators in the South-West through multiple terms in the National Assembly, using his ranking status and experience to attract projects and national relevance to his constituency.
- Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South has served multiple terms in the Senate due to his influence and legislative experience.
- Senator Ahmed Lawan of Yobe North spent years in the National Assembly and eventually became Senate President.
- Senator Orji Uzor Kalu continues to enjoy the confidence of Abia North because of his visibility and impact.
- Senator Danjuma Goje of Gombe Central also served multiple terms, strengthening his constituency’s federal presence.
- Former Senator David Mark represented Benue South for several terms and rose to become Senate President through continuity and experience.
None of these states rejected experience simply because of “third-term” sentiments. Instead, they benefited from ranking positions, federal connections, and stronger bargaining power at the national level.
Kogi East today needs a ranking Senator with influence, experience, and established national relationships not political experimentation driven by bitterness and selfish ambition.
It is therefore laughable for anyone to claim that Senator Echocho is disconnected from the grassroots when his empowerment programmes, scholarship interventions, support for traders, students, women, youths, and vulnerable groups remain visible across the nine local governments of Kogi East.
The attempt to portray him as unpopular is also contradicted by the massive support he continues to receive from party leaders, stakeholders, youths, women groups, and ordinary citizens who appreciate effective representation over empty rhetoric.
Nobody is imposing Senator Echocho on the people. He has merely exercised his constitutional and democratic right to seek re-election. The ultimate decision belongs to APC members and the people of Kogi East not self-appointed pressure groups.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is a democrat who understands party unity, stability, and the value of rewarding loyalty, competence, and performance. Supporting credible and tested leaders within the APC cannot be interpreted as undermining democracy.
Kogi East should not gamble away experience at a time when seniority and influence matter greatly in attracting federal opportunities and development to the region.
2027 should be about competence, results, continuity, and strategic representation and Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho remains strongly positioned to continue delivering for the people of Kogi East.
– Mona Philip writes from Abuja.
