The ruling All Progressives Congress in Kogi State is sliding into one of its most serious internal crises in recent years after Senator Jibrin Echocho publicly confronted Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo over what he described as a deeply flawed and allegedly manipulated APC Senate primary.
The confrontation has triggered political shockwaves across the state, with fears mounting that the ruling party could be heading toward a full-scale internal rupture ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
In a fiery and widely circulated video message, Echocho accused elements within the state’s political structure of hijacking the primary process, insisting that the exercise was predetermined and lacking any genuine electoral credibility.
He alleged that no authentic voting took place in his ward and claimed that results were allegedly written and finalized within Government House before the election was even conducted.
“That result is a nullity, and it cannot even be announced,” the visibly angry senator declared.
His remarks have been interpreted by analysts as a direct challenge to the authority of Governor Ododo and the dominant APC power structure in the state, marking a dramatic breakdown in what was previously seen as a stable alliance.
Until now, Echocho was widely regarded as a loyal political ally of both Governor Ododo and former governor Yahaya Bello, often described as one of the key pillars sustaining APC’s dominance in Kogi East.
However, his latest outburst suggests a complete collapse in trust between both camps.
In his statement, the senator reminded the governor of his long-standing loyalty and political sacrifices, insisting he had never positioned himself as a rival within the system.
“I have been very supportive of your administration. I have been very loyal to you and to GYB,” he said.
Echocho further explained that despite persistent pressure from supporters urging him to pursue higher political ambition, he had deliberately focused on strengthening APC structures across Kogi East through empowerment initiatives and constituency development projects.
“I have told everybody who cares to listen that I don’t want to contest for governor,” he stated.
According to him, his political efforts were aimed at consolidating support for the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the current state administration.
But the senator said the alleged exclusion from the Senate ticket had fundamentally altered his political stance.
“But since you are now out to fight me, take it from me today, the battle line has been drawn,” he warned.
In what has now escalated tensions further, Echocho openly declared that he could enter the governorship race, setting the stage for a potential direct showdown with Governor Ododo.
“I am going to contest with you. I have the right,” he said.
The development has thrown Kogi APC into uncertainty, with party stakeholders reportedly divided over the implications of the escalating feud.
Political analysts warn that Echocho’s influence in Kogi East, combined with his grassroots structures and long-standing political network, could significantly alter the state’s political balance if the conflict is not managed quickly.
The crisis is unfolding at a sensitive moment for the APC in Kogi, amid rising complaints of imposition, internal exclusion, and consensus arrangements during recent primaries across the state.
The tension has been further amplified by the recent withdrawal of former senator Smart Adeyemi from the Senate race, a development that has deepened speculation about widening cracks within the ruling party.
With both camps now hardening positions and supporters increasingly vocal, political observers say Kogi may be on the brink of one of its most intense intra-party battles in years.
Alleged Kogi APC Primary Manipulation Sparks Crisis as Echocho Confronts Ododo
