2027: Echocho, Critics and Governance Trajectory in Kogi East

By Atekojo Samson Usman

Kogi East is clearly very strategic to the political dynamics of the State due to its critical mass in determining the voting pendulum of results, but the electorate should first recognize this fact, see themselves in this light, and conduct themselves in a manner that external forces will not make nonsense of who they are and what they have.

Dividends of democracy is sacrosanct, where electorate dedicatedly voted a political office holder who by right should be accountable to the people that voted him, even as electorate by right should also demand accountability.

In this wise, it’s nothing near an aberration for a political office holder to be so criticized for his lack of performance in office after a period of time. His acts and actions must come under public scrutiny, the point at which criticism of him or her becomes constructive.

Conversely, when a political leader is criticized out of sentiment despite the obvious optimum performance in office, it becomes destructive and satanic which is likely to erode the good things to come.

The dossier of performance of Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho in the last six years in the Senate are clear and simply understood even to those who did not like him. He has since released the compendium, though, not up to date into the public domain and with this development, anyone could assess his performance as the people’s representative in the upper legislative Chamber of the 10th National Assembly.

It’s worrisome that some non-deep thinkers are daily making nonsense of the only highest political office available to the Igala and Bassa Kingdoms. Had it not been the person of Senator Echocho occupying the office? Had it been one of the unserious, or ‘I don’t care politician’ occupying the office at this Igala’s political ‘downtime’ period, it would have been tragic. But considering the lawmaker’s behemoth of achievements, one is consoled that all hope is not lost anyway.

The Igala/Bassa people do not just have a voice in the person of Senator Jibrahim Isah Echocho, [even as this is one of his primary responsibilities] in the upper legislative Chamber, but the Senatorial district has been integrated into the mainstream of politics at the highest level. Politics is beyond the borders of the Senatorial District, hence, the lawmaker should be encouraged rather than surreptitious plot to abort the effort that will get the District recognized at the upper level of politics.

Criticising Echocho for non-performance is legitimate, but as it were, there are sufficient hard facts to confront lies and the Senatorial District must not drown on the altar of someone’s desperate moves to occupy the office that would turn out to be a lamentation.

As of anyone’s right to represent Kogi East in the Senate in 2027 is of constitutional right, but may not be of ‘exigent circumstances’ the Kingdom find itself politically.

What should rather be the focus of the constituents in 2027 is the push to break the jinx, but set agenda for Senator Echocho to contest principal offices in the 11th Senate so that he could effectively complement efforts of the State back home.

This is a call on the elders, wisemen, youth groups, socio-cultural organisations, religious groups and professionals from the Senatorial district to listen to the voice of reason, that it will be to the advantage of the District if Echocho is returned in 2027 as he stands best to contest for a principal office in June, 2027.

Senate seat as far as Kogi East is concerned goes beyond perks of it, but works and delivery of dividends of democracy, the purpose for which the constituents should applaud Echocho rather than vilifying him. Getting a first timer to the Senate would be a reversal and backpedalling the Senatorial District as he or she may not even make a Chairman of a Committee, but an ordinary member that lack recognition for any benefits.

It is not novel for Senator Echocho to be pushed for a third term in office, even as other Senators from other States who perfectly understand this assertion are also repositioning their representatives for a return in 2027, given the benefits inherent in being a ranking member in the Senate.

It is important that one takes a look at Senator Jibrin Isah’s achievements, though, this is not yet an updated version for assessment viz:

A COMPENDIUM OF SENATOR ISAH JIBRIN (ECHOCHO) PROJECTS AND INTERVENTIONS

ANKPA LGA:
1. Provisions of 500KVA transformer at Olufofo;
2. Provisions of 500KVA transformer at Ejegbo;
3. Provisions of 500KVA transformer at Ofugo;
4. Provisions of 500KVA transformer at Inye;
5. Provisions of Motorized Borehole at Emere;
6. Provisions of Motorized Borehole at Emekutu;
7. Provisions of Motorized Borehole at Mission street;
8.Provisions of Motorized Borehole at Erane;
9. Provisions of Motorized Borehole at Egbeneba;
10. Provisions of Motorized Borehole at Angwa;
11. Provisions of Motorized Borchole at Ojoku;
12, Provisions of tractor with farming implements;
13. Youth and women Training and Empowerment program in cassava processing;
14. Youth and women Skill acquisition training and Empowerment program;
15. Provisions of Drugs and Medical Equipments to the General Hospital;
16. Bill Seeking to convert Kogi State College of Education Ankpa to Federal University of Education Ankpa;
17. Construction of 3 block of classroom in Enabo, Ankpa LGA.
18. Distribution of 10,000 Exercise Books to Pupils in Primary Schools;
19 Youth and women Skills acquisition training and empowerment program with Cash grant of 100,000.00 each;
20. Youth and women Training and empowerment program in Agricultural Mechanization;
21. Installation of Solar Powered Street Lights in some worship centres and communities of the Local Government;
22. Construction of Modern Integrated Cassava Processing Plant;
23. Empowerment of women with Sewing Machines;
24. Provisions of Solar Powered borehole at college of Education, Ankpa;
25. Training and empowerment program in Agricultural in Ankpa Federal Constituency;

IBAJI LGA:

26. Construction of Ultra modern Rice Mill Plant at Ejule Ojebe, with the provisions of 250KVA generator;
27. Supply of Tractor with farming equipment to Farmers in the Local Government;
28. Youth and women Training and Empowerment program in rice processing using modern technology at Onyedega;
29. Youth and women Agriculture training and Empowerment program;
30. Provisions of Drugs with Medical Equipment to Primary Health Care Centre at Onyedega;
31. Provisions of Drugs with Medical Equipment to Primary Health Care Centre at Aycke;
32. Provisions of Drugs with Medical Equipment to Primary Health Care Centre at Ayah;
33. Installation of Solar Powered Street Lights in some worship centres and communities of the Local Government;
34. Distribution of 10,000 Exercise Books to Pupils in Primary Schools;
35. Empowerment of Youth with Motorcycles;
36. Empowerment of Youth with Tricycles,
37. Empowerment of widows with grinding Machines;
38. Empowerment of women with generators and Hair dressing kits
39. Empowerment of women with Sewing Machines;
40.Empowerment of Youth with Phone repair Kits;
40. Provisions of relief materials to flood victims in the Local Government.
41. Media outreach at Onyedega;
42. Provisions of educational materials to public schools in Ibaji LGA;

DEKINA LGA:
43. Reactivation of Acharu Palm Oil mill at Egume with infrastructures;
44. Construction of Skills acquisition Center at Anyigba;
45.Construction of two feeder Roads;
46. Provisions of Motorized borehole borehole at Anolewu, Anyigba;
47. Provisions of Motorized borehole at Obeya Kekele Anyigba;
48. Provisions of Motorized borehole at Okete;
49. Provisions of Motorized borehole at Odu Anana;
50. Construction of Modern health Care Center at Okete;
51. Renovation of Dekina General Hospital;
52. The Bill for the Establishment of Orthopedic Hospital at Dekina;
53. Provisions of Motorized borehole at Ogbaloto;
54. Provisions of Motorized Borehole at Ajobicha in Ogbabede;
55. Provisions of Motorized Borehole at Government Science Secondary School Dekina;
56. Provisions of Motorized Borehole at Odu Okoda;
57. Provisions of Motorized Borehole at Olowa Opada;
58. Provisions of Motorized Borehole at Ajakagwu;
59. Donation of Operational vehicle to vigilante group, Odu branch;
60. Construction of Primary Health Care Center at Ajiolo Ajikpome;
61. Construction of Three Blocks Of classroom at Akpelu;
62. Construction of 3 Blocks of Classroom at Alokoli;
63. Reactivation of Prince Abubakar Audu University Backery with supply of a delivery Van;
64. Initiated bypass from Anyigba, by Labmina Hotel at lyale road to Egume;
65. The ongoing Construction of Zonal Police station at Anyigba;
66. Supply of drugs and medical equipment to General Hospital at Dekina;
67. Construction of Modern Market at Ajiolo;
68. Constriction of Town Hall at Ajiolo-Ojaji;
69. Construction of Feeder Road from Ajekelaga, Alokoli to Ajichemu;
70. Installation of Solar Powered Street Lights in some Worship Centres and Communities of the Local Government Area;
71. Distribution of 10,000 Exercise Books to Pupils in Primary Schools;
72. Empowerment of Youth with Motorcycles;
73Empowerment of Youth with Tricycles,
74. Empowerment of widows with grinding Machines;
75. Motion for the immediate completion of Abadigba power project at Egume;
77. Urgent need for the completion of the Junior Girls Model Secondary School, Odu-Okpiyegede in Dekina LGA;
78.Empowerment of women with baking kits;
79. Youth and women Training and Empowerment program in Agricultural Mechanization.
80. Renovation and construction of Primary Health care centre, Dekina;
81. Payment of hospital bills for patients in Dekina Hospitals.
82. Construction of Ultra-Modern Market Shops in Dekina central market;
83. Construction of Blocks of Classroom in Government Day Secondary school Dekina;
84. Provisions of Motorized Borehole at Government Day Secondary school Dekina;
84. Provisions of Motorized Borehole at Ebeje Owala;
84. Installation of Solar Powered Street Lights at Ebeje Owala;
84. Installation of Solar Powered borehole at Olubojo;
84. Provisions of NDLEA Zonal Office in Anyigba;
85. Control of The Nigerian Police Force Area Command Headquarters, Anyigba;
86. Provisions of Educational materials to Public schools in Dekina LGA;
86. Provisions of Relief Materials to rainstorm Victims in Dekina town, April 2025;

87. Distribution of relief materials to victims of windstorm and Fulani crisis in some communities in Kogi East, August 2025.

OFU LGA:
88. The Bill for the conversion of Holey Memorial Hospital to Federal Eye Center, Ochadamu;
89. Supply of tractor with farming equipment;
89. Youth and women Agric Training and Empowerment program, Ofu LGA.
90. Construction of Integrated Cashew processing Plant at Ogbabo Udachi;
91. Youth and women Skills acquisition training and Empowerment program;
92. Training and empowerment of women and youths in Agricultural farm produce;
93. Provision of Two (2) Motorized Borehole at Ejule;
94. Provisions of Motorized Borehole at Abejukolo;
95. Supply of drugs and Medical Equipment to Primary Health Care Centre, Ugwolawo;
96. Supply of drugs and Medical Equipment to Primary Health Care Centre, Itobe;
97. Supply of drugs and Medical Equipment to General Hospital, Ugwolaw;
98. Distribution of 10,000 Exercise Books to Pupils in Primary Schools;
99. Provisions of Relief Materials to flood victims in the Local Government;
100. Provisions of education materials to public schools in Dekina LGA;
101. Provisions of Relief Materials to victims of windstorm in Itobe, Adumu, Itagidi, Oladebu, Ajegwu, Ofoke, and other communities in Ofu LGA, March, 2025;

OMALA LGA:

102. Supply of tractor and farming equipment to the farmers in the LG;
103. Provisions of Motorized Borehole at Olla;
104. Provisions of Motorized Borehole at Ogodu;
105. Provisions of Motorized Borehole at Abejukolo;
106. Construction of an Integrated Rice Mill Plant at Abejukolo;
107.Supply of drugs with medical equipment to Primary Health Care Center in the Local Government;
108.Training and empowerment of women and youths in Agricultural Mechanization;
109. Installation of Solar Powered Street Lights in some Worship Centres and Communities of the Local Government Area.;
110. The electrification of Igodo community with the supply of 500KA transformer;
111. Distribution of 10,000 Exercise Books to Pupils in Primary
112. Provisions of Relief Materials to flood victims in the Local Government.
113. Training and empowerment program in Agriculture in Omala;
114. Provisions of educational materials to public schools in Omala LGA;

BASSA LGA:

115. Supply of tractor with farming equipment;
116. Provisions of Motorized Borehole at Agodo;
117. Provisions of Motorized Borehole at Elule;
118. Motion called on the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs & Disaster Management and other relevant organizations to provide aid for the displaced persons and communities in Bassa;
119. Installation of solar powered street lights at Elule;
120. Installation of solar powered lights at Agodo;
121. Supply of drugs to Health Care Center in Bassa LGA;
122. Youth and women Skills acquisition training and Empowerment program;
123. Motion for the Rehabilitation of Shintaku, Anyigba road;
Empowerment of Youth with Motorcycles;
124. Distribution of 10,000 Exercise Books to Pupils in Primary Schools;
125. Youth and women Training and empowerment program in Agricultural Mechanization;
126. Provisions of Relief Materials to flood victims in the Local Government.
127. 100,000 cash empowerment program;
128. Provisions of Deep freezers to women in Bassa LGA;
129. Provisions of Education materials in public schools in Bassa LGA;
130. Reconstruction and renovation of VIP guest house Bassa;

OLAMABORO LGA:

131.Supply of tractor with farming equipment to farmers in the Local Government;
132. Construction of 20-bed Primary Health Care Center at Akpoli;
133. Motion called on the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs & Disaster Management and other relevant organizations to provide aid for the affected by rainstorm in the Local Government;
134. Youth and women Agric Training and Empowerment program;
135. Provision of Motorized Borehole at Imane and Okpo;
136. Provision of drugs and medical equipment to Health Care Center in the LGA;
137. Provisions of Education materials to public schools in Olamaboro LGA;
138. Training and empowerment program in Agricultural for selected youth in Olamaboro LGA;

IDAH LGA:

139. Supply of tractor and farming equipment to farmers in the Local Government;
140. Construction of solar powered borehole, Opposite Igala Ogba;
141. Provisions of solar powered borehole at Onah Igala Ogba;
142. Youth and women Agric Training and Empowerment program;
143 Urgent need for completion and Take-Off of the Federal Government Aquaculture Project at Idah;
144. Supply of drugs and medical equipment to Primary Health Care Center in the Local Government;
145. Youth and women Training and empowerment program in Agricultural Mechanization;
146. Provisions of Relief Materials to flood victims in the Local Government;
147. The Bill seeking for the Establishment of National Cashew Production and Research Institute at Idah;
148. 100,000 cash empowerment program for selected persons Idah LGA;
149. 50,000 cash empowerment program for selected persons in Idah LGA;
150. Provisions of Education materials to public schools in Idah LGA;

IGALAMELA/ODOLU LGA;

151. Supply of tractor with farming equipment to farmers in the Local Government;
152. Provisions of Motorized Borehole at Igalamela/Odolu;
153. Youth and women Agric Training and Empowerment program at Igalamela/Ogolu;
154. Youth and women Skills acquisition Training and Empowerment programs at Igalamela/Odolu;
155. Supply of drugs and medical equipment to Primary Health Care Center, Igalamela/Ogolu;
156. Provision of solar powered borehole at Amaka;
157. Provision of solar powered borehole at Ajaka;
158. Provisions of Relief Materials to flood ŵvictims in the Local Government;
159. Provisions of Education materials to public schools in Igalamela/Odolu LGA;

Employment Facilitated:

1. Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS);
2. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC);
3. Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC);
4. Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC);
5. Federal Fire Service;
6. Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency;
7. Nigeria Correctional Service;
8. Nigeria Communication Commission(NCC);
9. Hyppardec;
10. Public Compliant Commission(PCC)
11. FAAN;
12. NESREA;
13. DRTD;
14. National Assembly library commission;
15. National Population Commission;
16. FCT RIS;
17. SEC tribunal;
18. Nigeria Railway Coporation;
19. NTA;
20. National commission for persons with disabilities;
21. The Nigeria Custom Services, among others.

BILLS & MOTIONS SPONSORED BY SENATOR ISAH JIBRIN ECHOCHO

1. National Eye Centre Ochadamu (Establishment) Bill;
2. Orthopaedic Hospitals Management Board (Amendment) Bill;

3. Federal University of Education Ankpa (Establishment) Bill;

4. Bill for the Establishment of the Nigeria Cashew Crop Processing Agency;

5. Nigerian Capital Market Development Fund (Establishment, ) Bill;

6. Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, among others

MOTIONS:

1. Motion for the Rehabilitation of Shintaku, Anyigba road;

2. Motion for the completion of Abadigba power project at Egume;

3. Motion for the Rehabilitation of Itobe-Ajaokuta road;

4. Motion for the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management and other relevant organization to provide aid for the displaced persons in communities in Bassa LGA;

5. Urgent need for the completion of the Junior Girls Model Secondary School, Odu-Okpiyegede in Dekina LGA;

6. Urgent need for completion and Take-Off of the Federal Government Aquaculture Project at Idah;

7. Need for Expeditious completion of Rail Line From Ajaokuta in Kogi State to Otukpo in Benue State;
8. Urgent need for Rehabilitation of Communities affected by rainstorm in Olamaboro LGA;

9. Urgent need for the Rehabilitation of Communities affected by communal Clashes in Omola LGA, among others.