By CHARLES CHIJIOKE
The political atmosphere in Kogi East is heating up ahead of the 2027 elections as the Kogi East Elders Forum has firmly rejected any attempt by Senator Jibrin Isah to secure a third term in the Senate, describing such a move as a violation of long-standing zoning arrangements in the district.
In a statement issued in Lokoja, the Forum, led by Elder Simon Ocheje, insisted that the unwritten but widely respected principle in the district limits senatorial representation to two terms, or eight years, to ensure fairness and inclusiveness among constituent areas.
“This principle has over time ensured political balance, unity, and inclusiveness, while giving all constituent areas equal opportunity to contribute to leadership and development of the geo-political zone,” the elders said.
The group noted that past occupants of the seat adhered strictly to this arrangement. Senator Nicholas Yahaya Ugbane served from 2003 to 2011, while Senator Atai Aidoko Ali completed his tenure from 2011 to 2019, both exiting after two terms. They argued that Senator Echocho, first elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2023, is already benefiting from the same structure and should respect it.
The reaction follows reports that the senator has obtained nomination forms under the All Progressives Congress (APC) to seek re-election and has presented them to former governor Yahaya Bello for endorsement.
Beyond the immediate rejection, the elders framed their position as a broader defense of equity within the district. They emphasized that Dekina Local Government Area, from which the current senator hails, has already produced senators for eight years on two different occasions, warning that extending the tenure further could destabilize the delicate political balance.
“Equity demands that other areas be given the same opportunity,” the statement added, cautioning that any deviation could “undermine unity and stability in the district.”
The Forum also called on aspirants to shift focus toward performance-based politics, urging them to present their achievements and allow voters to judge their competence and credibility.
In a direct appeal to key power brokers, including Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and Yahaya Bello, the elders urged restraint and respect for grassroots decision-making, warning against the imposition of candidates.
They stressed that forcing a preferred aspirant on the electorate could erode democratic values, alienate voters, and trigger internal party crises within the APC in Kogi State.
The development signals potential cracks within the party’s structure in Kogi East and could set the stage for intensified political contestation as 2027 approaches. If not carefully managed, analysts say the dispute may lead to factional divisions, weaken party cohesion, and open opportunities for opposition parties to capitalize on internal discontent.
The Kogi East Elders Forum reaffirmed its commitment to “equity, justice, and unity,” making it clear that any attempt to override the rotational understanding would be resisted by stakeholders across the district.
