Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi East Senatorial District have defended the outcome of the party’s senatorial primary election held on May 20, 2026. They insist the exercise was free, fair, and credible and have urged aggrieved aspirants, particularly incumbent Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho, to accept the result in the interest of party unity.
Speaking at a press conference, APC leaders in Kogi East said the primary reflected the “true spirit of democracy,” stressing that the emergence of the winning candidate was the clear expression of party members’ will across the district.
The stakeholders, led by Dr. Abubakar Rajab, said the direct‑voting primary became necessary after extensive consultations among elders, party executives, opinion leaders, and stakeholders failed to produce a consensus arrangement.
They explained that while consensus‑building efforts were initially explored, “observable gaps and emerging concerns” made it necessary to adopt direct primaries so that all aspirants could test their popularity, grassroots appeal, and political acceptability on equal footing. The group commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to democratic principles, internal party discipline, justice, equity, and fairness within the APC, and they also praised National Party Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and the National Working Committee (NWC) for strengthening internal democracy.
At the state level, the stakeholders expressed appreciation to the Kogi State APC chairman and the party’s leadership for their coordination and maturity during the conduct of the primary. They also commended former Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, for his political influence on progressive politics in the state and Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo for ensuring, what they described as, a level playing field for all aspirants.
Defending the credibility of the process, the APC leaders said the direct primary was conducted peacefully, without intimidation, coercion, or manipulation, and that party members turned out in large numbers to vote for their preferred candidates.
“The voices of party members resonated louder than the whispers of political convenience,” they stated, insisting that the exercise allowed democracy to thrive and produced the most credible and politically marketable candidate.
They noted that political contests naturally produce winners and losers and that democratic maturity demands that defeated aspirants accept outcomes with dignity and magnanimity. The stakeholders called on all aspirants, their supporters, and stakeholders in the district to respect the result and rally behind the victorious candidate to strengthen party cohesion ahead of future contests.
However, the press conference took a dramatic turn when the leaders revealed that Senator Echocho had allegedly been informed of an existing zoning arrangement that ceded the Kogi East senatorial seat to Ankpa Federal Constituency after the completion of his two‑term tenure. They said the arrangement followed an established political understanding and rotational tradition aimed at promoting fairness, inclusion, political balance, and peaceful coexistence among the district’s federal constituencies.
According to the group, the senator had initially accepted the zoning and reportedly appreciated both former Governor Bello and Governor Ododo for supporting his two‑term representation of Kogi East in the Senate. They expressed surprise that he later obtained the APC senatorial nomination form and joined the race despite the alleged “gentleman’s agreement.”
They maintained, however, that the APC did not bar Echocho from participating, insisting he was given equal opportunity with other aspirants to test his political relevance through the ballot. “The outcome of the primary election has now settled the matter democratically and decisively,” they declared, adding that no political structure could permanently stand against the collective will of the people.
The leaders appealed to aggrieved parties to embrace reconciliation, avoid bitterness, and place the unity, stability, and progress of the APC above personal ambitions. Reaffirming confidence in the party’s strength in the district, they declared that Kogi East remained united and resolute and expressed optimism that the APC would deliver strong support for President Tinubu and its candidates in future elections.
