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Echocho fumes, alleges irregularities
From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
Former governor of Kogi State Alhaji Yahaya Bello won in a landslide in his Central Senatorial District seat, while Senator Sunday Karimi of Kogi West was also returned, with a new entrant, Joseph Erico, winning the Eastern Senatorial District primary.
Controversy and protests, however, marred the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries as the incumbent senator, Isa Jibril Echocho, alleged widespread irregularities and government manipulation.
The visibly angry Echocho, in a viral video, rejected the outcome of the primary and alleged that election materials and officials were absent in several wards, including his own, and claimed no proper election took place in his senatorial district.
Echocho accused party officials of bias and alleged that results were “prepared at the Government House before the commencement of the exercise”.
“That result is a nullity, and cannot even be announced,” he said.
The senator further threatened to challenge Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in the 2027 governorship race if the senatorial primary outcome did not favour him.
“I am going to contest against you. I have the right. The battle line has been drawn,” Echocho declared.
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He maintained that his constituency projects and empowerment programmes were meant to strengthen the APC ahead of future elections for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ododo, and accused the governor of turning against him despite his loyalty to both him (Ododo) and former governor Yahaya Bello.
In Kogi West, another aspirant, Ustaz Abubakar Zakari Ola, also raised concerns before voting began. He alleged plans to intimidate his supporters and claimed that voting was disrupted by thugs in centres where he held an advantage.
However, there was a massive turnout in Yahaya Bello’s district as party faithful turned out to vote, even as Bello commended delegates for a peaceful process and praised party officials for adhering to guidelines, calling the exercise a reflection of the APC’s capacity to conduct transparent elections.
Also contesting the Kogi Central ticket are APC Diaspora Secretary and businessman, Chief Momoh Obaro, and Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke.
Meanwhile, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo participated in the primary at his Upogoro/Odenku Ward polling unit in Okene LGA. The exercise was held under tight security with a large turnout of party members.
Speaking to journalists after voting, Ododo described the process as “peaceful, transparent, and orderly”, saying it reflected the democratic ideals being strengthened within the ruling party.
Official results from the primaries were yet to be announced as of press time.
