“No Election Held!”:Kogi Senator Erupts, Rejects APC Primary Result, Vows to Challenge Governor in 2027

Tension and controversy marred the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries in Kogi State on Monday, despite former Governor Yahaya Bello and other candidates emerging victorious in their districts.

The fiercest backlash came from Kogi East, where the sitting senator, Jibrin Isah (popularly known as Echocho), angrily rejected the exercise. In a viral video, an agitated Echocho claimed that polling materials and officials were missing in several wards including his own insisting that no credible election took place.

He accused party officials of bias, alleging that results were “cooked at the Government House before voting even began,” and declared the outcome a “nullity.”

In a dramatic turn, Echocho threatened to run against Governor Ahmed Ododo in the 2027 governorship race if the primary result stands. “The battle line has been drawn,” he warned.

He argued that his constituency projects and empowerment efforts were meant to strengthen the party for President Bola Tinubu and Ododo, only for the governor to turn against him.

In Kogi West, aspirant Ustaz Abubakar Ola also raised pre-voting alarms, alleging plans to intimidate his supporters and claiming that thugs disrupted voting in his stronghold areas.

Despite the disputes, voter turnout was reportedly massive across the three senatorial districts.

In Agassa hometown of Yahaya Bello, who is contesting the Kogi Central ticket large crowds turned out peacefully. Bello praised the process as transparent and orderly, commending party officials for following guidelines.

Other Kogi Central aspirants include APC Diaspora Secretary Momoh Obaro and Ibrahim Yakubu Adoke.

Governor Ododo voted at his Upogoro/Odenku Ward in Okene Local Government, later describing the primaries as “peaceful, transparent, and orderly” and a reflection of the APC’s democratic values.