By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
A political pressure group, the Kogi East Progressives Forum, has dismissed the purported suspension of Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho from the All Progressives Congress as illegal, baseless, and politically motivated.
The group, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Musa Ibrahim, described the claim as a desperate attempt by political opponents to tarnish the image of the senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District.
The forum stated that no ward executive had the constitutional powers to suspend a serving senator without recourse to the appropriate organs of the party.
According to the group, Senator Echocho remains a loyal and committed member of the APC and has continued to contribute to the growth of the party and the development of Kogi East through empowerment programmes, scholarship schemes, infrastructural support, and quality representation at the National Assembly.
The statement further described allegations linking the senator to anti-party activities and planned defection as false and misleading.
âIt is unfortunate that desperate political actors have resorted to propaganda and falsehood in a bid to discredit a serving Senator whose contributions to the APC and Kogi East remain visible and widely acknowledged,â the statement read.
The group maintained that Senator Echocho had consistently worked for the unity and electoral success of the APC in Kogi East, insisting that attempts to portray him as disloyal to the party were unfair and politically motivated.
The forum also alleged that the reported suspension was part of a wider agenda by some politicians threatened by the senatorâs growing influence and popularity ahead of future political contests in the state.
It noted that throughout his years in office, the senator had maintained close contact with his constituents and facilitated several people-oriented programmes across the nine local government areas of Kogi East.
The group urged party members and supporters to disregard the purported suspension, insisting that it lacked constitutional backing and due process.
It further called on the leadership of the APC in Kogi State to intervene and prevent actions capable of creating unnecessary division within the party.
The forum added that no amount of political intimidation, propaganda, or sponsored attacks would diminish the support Senator Echocho enjoys across Kogi East.
The group reaffirmed its confidence in the senatorâs leadership, describing him as one of the most experienced and influential political figures in the district.
