By joshua 
Kogi East Group Rejects Senator Echocho’s ‘Suspension’, Calls It Illegal and Politically Motivated
A political pressure group, the Kogi East Progressives Forum, has dismissed reports of the suspension of Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho from the All Progressives Congress, describing it as illegal, baseless, and driven by political motives.
In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Musa Ibrahim, the forum said the claim was a desperate attempt by opponents to tarnish the image of the senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District.
The group argued that no ward executive has the constitutional authority to suspend a serving senator without following the proper procedures within the party. It maintained that Senator Echocho remains a loyal APC member who has contributed significantly to the party’s growth and to the development of Kogi East through empowerment programmes, scholarships, infrastructural support, and legislative representation.
The forum also rejected allegations linking the senator to anti-party activities and an alleged plan to defect.
“It is unfortunate that desperate political actors have resorted to propaganda and falsehood to discredit a serving senator whose contributions to the APC and Kogi East are visible and widely acknowledged,” the statement said.
According to the group, the purported suspension is part of a broader agenda by politicians threatened by Echocho’s growing influence ahead of future contests in the state. It noted that the senator has maintained close contact with constituents and facilitated several people-oriented projects across the nine local government areas of Kogi East.
The forum urged APC members and supporters to disregard the report, insisting it lacked constitutional backing and due process. It called on the Kogi State APC leadership to intervene to prevent actions that could deepen divisions within the party.
The group reaffirmed its confidence in Echocho’s leadership, describing him as one of the most experienced and influential political figures in Kogi East, and said no amount of intimidation or propaganda would erode his support base in the district.