Kogi East APC stakeholders back Sen Echocho’s suspension over alleged anti-party conduct

Florence Kalu

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Odu Ward 2, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, has suspended Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho, representing Kogi East Senatorial District, over alleged anti-party activities, escalating political tensions within the ruling party in the state on Wednesday.

The suspension followed a resolution reached by the Ward Executive Committee during a meeting held on May 26, 2026, where party leaders accused the senator of engaging in activities capable of undermining the unity, stability and electoral strength of the APC in Kogi East, including alleged negotiations with opposition figures after losing out in the party’s internal political processes.

According to party officials, Senator Echocho had allegedly been hobnobbing with opposition leaders and engaging in negotiations aimed at defecting from the APC following his disappointing performance during the party’s political consultations and internal processes.

The party leaders noted that the moves were part of efforts to actualise what they described as a self-serving third-term agenda.

The ward exco further accused the Senator of consistently working against the interest of the APC despite benefitting from the platform for eight years. The party alleged that he failed to deliver his polling unit during the 2019 and 2023 governorship elections and didn’t provide the expected leadership during critical political contests in the state.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the announcement, a prominent APC chieftain, Mallam Nasiru Musa, described the action taken by the party as timely and necessary to preserve the integrity of the APC in Kogi East.

“Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho’s activities have become cancerous to the party. For eight years, he served himself and his family while the people suffered neglect and poor representation,” he said.

“We can no longer accommodate a Senator who failed the people and has shown desperation to pull down the house simply because the party and the people rejected his third-term ambition.”

Stakeholders across the senatorial district have also continued to express disappointment over what they described as the lack of visible impact from the Senator’s representation, insisting that the APC must continue to prioritise loyalty, service, and the collective interest of the people above personal ambition.

Party faithful in the area commended the Ward Executive Committee for what they described as a courageous and disciplined step aimed at cleansing the party of individuals allegedly working against its stability and progress.

The suspension letter, signed by members of the Ward Executive Committee, emphasised that the decision would serve as a deterrent to party members whose actions threaten the unity, growth, and electoral strength of the APC in Kogi State.