Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress in Kogi East Senatorial District have defended the outcome of the party’s senatorial primary election, insisting the exercise was free, fair and reflected the true will of party members across the district.
The stakeholders urged incumbent Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho and other aggrieved aspirants to accept the outcome in the interest of party unity.
Speaking during a press conference, the APC leaders said direct primaries became necessary after consultations among party elders and stakeholders failed to produce a consensus candidate.
The stakeholders further disclosed that Senator Echocho had allegedly been informed of an existing zoning arrangement which ceded the Kogi East senatorial seat to Ankpa Federal Constituency after the completion of his two-term tenure.
According to them, the senator initially accepted the arrangement and appreciated party leaders before later deciding to obtain the APC nomination form and contest the primary election.
The group maintained that despite the zoning understanding, Echocho was not prevented from contesting, stressing that democracy allowed every aspirant equal opportunity to test their popularity through the ballot.
They called on all party members to avoid bitterness, embrace reconciliation and work together to strengthen the APC ahead of future elections in Kogi State.
