Senator Jibrin Isah has intensified the Kogi Senate dispute after losing the All Progressives Congress senatorial primary election in Kogi East, accusing allies of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of undermining the electoral process. The senator alleged that electoral materials were hijacked in several wards during the exercise, preventing party members from participating fully in the primary.
The dispute followed the APC primary election held to determine the party’s candidate for the Kogi East Senatorial District ahead of the next electoral cycle. Jibrin Isah, also known as Jibrin Echocho, was among seven aspirants contesting for the senatorial ticket. Following the announcement of the primary results, he publicly rejected the outcome and questioned the credibility of the process.
According to the senator, electoral officials and voting materials did not arrive in several wards across the district, including his own polling area, where only two votes were reportedly recorded in his favour. The senator claimed that the absence of electoral materials and officials disrupted voting activities and affected participation by party members in multiple locations.
Speaking after the primary election, Jibrin declared that “the battle line has been drawn” between himself and Governor Ododo following the outcome of the exercise.
The Kogi Senate dispute escalated after the senator accused government agents of interfering in the primary election by allegedly hijacking electoral materials intended for party delegates. He maintained that the developments were designed to weaken support for his candidacy despite what he described as his loyalty to the APC leadership and the governor.
Jibrin further stated that his political projects and constituency interventions across Kogi East had strengthened the APC within the district and contributed to support for the party and President Bola Tinubu. He also alleged that Governor Ododo acted against him based on claims that he intended to contest the governorship position in the future.
According to the senator, “Well, with the latest development, I will now contest for the governorship position against Governor Ododo when the time comes.” The dispute has drawn attention within political circles in the state as APC members await possible reactions from party leadership regarding the allegations raised by the senator.
Kogi Senate dispute reflects broader concerns surrounding internal party democracy and management of primary elections within major political parties in Nigeria.
Disputes arising from party primaries have historically influenced political alignments, post-primary litigations, and internal divisions ahead of general elections. The allegations also highlight the importance of transparent electoral processes during party primaries, particularly in politically strategic states such as Kogi.
