Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Kogi East Senatorial District have hailed the conduct of the recently concluded primary election in the district.
The exercise saw the incumbent senator representing Kogi East and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs, Jibrin Isah Echocho, lose his re-election bid.
After assessing the exercise, the stakeholders defended the outcome of the election, insisting that the process was free, fair, and credible, while urging aggrieved aspirants to accept the results in the interest of party unity.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday regarding the outcome of the election, the party leaders in Kogi East noted that the process reflected the “true spirit of democracy,” stressing that the emergence of the winning candidate was a clear expression of the will of party members across the district.
The stakeholders, led by Dr. Abubakar Y. Rajab, stated that the primary election, conducted through direct voting, followed extensive consultations among elders, party executives, opinion leaders, and stakeholders across Kogi East.
According to them, while consensus-building efforts were initially explored, emerging concerns made it necessary to adopt direct primaries to provide all aspirants with an equal opportunity to test their popularity, grassroots appeal, and political acceptability among APC members.
“Before the commencement of the primaries, extensive consultations were held among critical stakeholders, elders, party executives, and opinion leaders across Kogi East. Through rigorous deliberations and political engagements, consensus-building efforts were initially explored.”
“However, certain observable gaps and emerging concerns necessitated the adoption of direct primaries in place of consensus arrangements, in order to provide every aspirant with an unfettered opportunity to test his popularity, political acceptability, and grassroots credibility before the electorate,” Dr. Rajab stated.
He further noted, “Consequently, a free, fair, transparent, and credible primary election was conducted under a peaceful atmosphere devoid of intimidation, coercion, or manipulation.”
“The process reflected the true spirit of democracy where the voices of party members resonated louder than the whispers of political convenience. Card-carrying members of the APC trooped out massively to exercise their constitutional and democratic rights by voting for candidates of their choice. At the end of the exercise, the outcome spoke eloquently and unequivocally. The will of the people prevailed, and the most credible, acceptable, and politically marketable candidate emerged victorious.”
The stakeholders also stated that Senator Echocho was duly informed about the zoning arrangement of the senatorial seat to the Ankpa Federal Constituency following the completion of his two-term tenure.
They expressed surprise that he went ahead to purchase nomination forms, stressing that the zoning arrangement aligns with the long-established political understanding and rotational tradition within the Eastern Senatorial District aimed at promoting fairness, inclusion, balance, and mutual coexistence among the constituent federal constituencies.
The group commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as his commitment to democratic principles, internal party discipline, justice, equity, and fairness within the APC.
They also praised the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside members of the National Working Committee (NWC), for providing leadership and strengthening internal democracy within the ruling party.
The stakeholders further appreciated the Kogi State APC Chairman and the party leadership for their effective coordination during the primary election.
Former Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello was commended for his political leadership, while Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo was praised for ensuring a level playing field for all aspirants during the primaries.