By Steven Atokolo
The bid of Senator Jibrin Isa Echocho for a return to the National Assembly has gained significant momentum following his endorsement by a coalition of civil society organisations in Kogi East.
The group, operating under the Kogi East Political and Economic Summit Group (KEPESG), declared its support during a press conference held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Addressing journalists, the convener of KEPESG, Jacob Okpananchi, said the decision came after wide consultations and a careful assessment of the political landscape in the district. He noted that the group thoroughly evaluated the performance and contributions of the incumbent senator before arriving at its position.
Okpananchi stressed that the endorsement was a product of deliberate reflection on both past and present political realities in Kogi East, rather than a hasty decision.
He observed that the district consistently produced the governor of Kogi State until 2015, but has since experienced a decline in political influence following the shift of power to Kogi Central. According to him, this development highlights the need to strengthen Kogi East’s voice at the national level, which informed the group’s backing of Echocho.
He expressed confidence that re-electing the senator would improve the district’s chances of securing strategic leadership positions in the National Assembly, thereby boosting its influence and bargaining power.
Okpananchi added that reinforcing Kogi East’s representation at the federal level would help close the political gap created by its absence from the governorship since 2015 and address key developmental challenges facing the area.
He also urged the people of Kogi East to reject what he described as entrenched “politics of surrogacy,” which he said has weakened the district’s influence over time.
“This endorsement is a call on our people to resist imposed candidates who do not reflect our collective aspirations and values,” he stated.
