Coalition Backs Kogi East Senator, Calls for End to “Politics of Surrogacy”

The third-term ambition of Senator Jibrin Isa Echocho, who represents Kogi East, has received a significant boost after he was endorsed by a coalition of civil society organisations from the district.

The group, known as the Kogi East Political and Economic Summit Group (KEPESG), announced its support for the senator during a world press conference held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Speaking at the event, the convener of KEPESG, Comrade Jacob Okpananchi, said the endorsement followed wide consultations and a careful assessment of the political situation in Kogi East.
He explained that the group evaluated the senator’s performance and contributions before deciding to back his bid for a third term, stressing that the decision was not taken lightly but came after deep reflection on political developments in the area.
According to him, Kogi East used to produce the governor of the state until 2015, but since power shifted to Kogi Central, the zone has experienced a decline in political influence.
He noted that this reality made it necessary to strengthen the region’s representation at the national level, which informed their decision to support Senator Echocho.
Okpananchi expressed confidence that re-electing the senator would improve the chances of securing key leadership positions in the National Assembly, thereby increasing the voice and bargaining power of Kogi East at the federal level.
He added that this would help bridge the political gap created since the district last held the governorship in 2015 and would also enhance development opportunities for the people.
He further urged residents of Kogi East to reject what he described as long-standing “politics of surrogacy” that, according to him, has weakened the district’s influence over time.
“This endorsement also serves as a clarion call to our people to resist the entrenched politics of surrogacy that has relegated our district to a secondary role since 2015. We must reject any attempt to impose candidates who do not reflect the collective aspirations and political values of our people,” he stated.