Crisis is brewing within the Kogi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress following the dramatic fallout between Senator Jibrin Isah and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo after the senator lost his bid to secure the party’s senatorial ticket.
The lawmaker representing Kogi East Senatorial District openly declared war on the governor after the controversial primary election, insisting that “the battle line has been drawn.”
Senator Jibrin, one of the seven aspirants in the race, alleged widespread irregularities during the exercise, accusing government agents of hijacking electoral materials meant for the primary election.
Speaking after the exercise, the visibly aggrieved senator disclosed that only two votes were recorded in his favour in his own ward, a situation he described as suspicious and unacceptable.
According to him, he arrived at his ward expecting to participate in the process but discovered that no electoral officers or voting materials were available.
He further claimed that similar incidents were reported across several wards in Kogi East Senatorial District, preventing party members from voting.
The senator alleged that the absence of electoral officials was part of a deliberate effort to frustrate his supporters and manipulate the outcome of the primary election.
Despite the setback, Jibrin insisted that his developmental projects across Kogi East had strengthened the APC’s political standing in the district and would help secure victories for the party, including President Bola Tinubu, in future elections.
He also expressed disappointment over what he described as betrayal by Governor Ododo despite his loyalty to the APC leadership and support for the administration.
According to him, the governor allegedly turned against him over fears that he could challenge him politically in the future.
“Well, with the latest development, I will now contest for the governorship position against Governor Ododo when the time comes,” he said.
The senator also called on the national leadership of the APC to investigate the alleged hijacking of electoral materials and ensure fairness in the party’s internal electoral process.
