Kogi East Group urges Tinubu to caution Akpabio over alleged political interference

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

A political group within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi East Senatorial District has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to caution Senate President Godswill Akpabio over alleged attempts to interfere in the political affairs of Kogi State, particularly the politics of Kogi East.

The group, operating under the banner of Kogi East APC Justice Forum, accused the Senate President of allegedly backing moves to influence the political direction of the senatorial district against what it described as the wishes of party members and stakeholders.

In a statement signed by Mr. Monday Onalo, the Forum alleged that there were subterranean efforts to impose Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho on the people of Kogi East despite his reported defeat during the APC senatorial primary process.

According to the group, the alleged interference could create unnecessary tension within the ruling APC and undermine the political stability of the district.

“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the Senate President to order so as not to throw our party into needless confusion and jeopardy,” the statement said.

The Forum maintained that Kogi East has sustained a longstanding rotational political arrangement which, according to the group, has helped preserve peace, inclusion and political balance across the district over the years.

It warned that any attempt to alter the arrangement for personal political interests could provoke discontent among party faithful and stakeholders within the zone.

The group further argued that the office of the Senate President does not confer powers to determine political outcomes outside his constituency, insisting that Kogi people should be allowed to make independent political decisions without external influence.

Echocho

The Forum also alleged that Senator Echocho had continued to pursue behind-the-scenes efforts to overturn the outcome of the APC primary election after allegedly losing support among party members in the district.

Reaffirming its commitment to the unity of the APC in Kogi State, the group urged party leaders to respect internal democratic processes and protect the political integrity of Kogi East Senatorial District.