In a letter dated May 26 and addressed to the APC state leadership in Lokoja, the executives of Odu Ward 2 accused the senator of sustained activities they described as damaging to the party’s interests. The ward leaders said the decision followed concerns raised over what they termed repeated breaches of party discipline, especially during recent election cycles.
According to the letter, the ward executive committee alleged that the senator, Jibrin Isah, had failed to secure electoral victory for the party in his immediate polling environment during the 2019 and 2023 governorship elections in Kogi State. They argued that such outcomes reflected poorly on his influence within the party structure at the grassroots level.
The ward leadership further claimed that the senator’s political engagements had, in their view, extended beyond acceptable party lines. They accused him of holding meetings with opposition figures, an action they interpreted as inconsistent with APC’s internal regulations and expectations for elected office holders.
Part of the letter read that the senator had been “involving himself in anti-party activities” and participating in “series of meetings with opposition political parties,” which the ward executives described as incompatible with his status within the party. They insisted that such conduct weakened party cohesion in the ward, local government area, and wider senatorial district.
The resolution to suspend him, according to the ward executives, was reached during a meeting held on the same date, May 26. They stated that the decision was taken to reinforce party discipline and serve as a warning to other members they believe may be undermining the party’s electoral standing. The letter also indicated that the suspension was being forwarded to the APC state leadership for further consideration.
The announcement, however, has been strongly disputed by the senator’s camp, which rejected the suspension as procedurally flawed and politically motivated.
Reacting to the development, Mikail Ibrahim, media aide to the senator, dismissed the claims, arguing that they were not supported by verifiable electoral records or due process within the party structure. He maintained that the senator remained committed to the APC and had consistently worked to strengthen its performance in Kogi East.
Ibrahim stated that the allegation that the senator lost his polling unit during previous elections was inaccurate. He insisted that the senator recorded strong results in his polling area and contributed meaningfully to the party’s electoral victories in both the 2019 and 2023 governorship elections in Kogi State.
He also argued that the senator’s political activities had been consistently aligned with the party’s broader objectives. According to him, the senator demonstrated loyalty through mobilisation efforts and engagement with voters across several communities in Kogi East during election periods, despite what he described as challenging political conditions.
Beyond electoral disputes, the senator’s aide highlighted what he described as ongoing development initiatives facilitated by the lawmaker across the senatorial district. These included interventions in education, healthcare, rural infrastructure, and community security support. He pointed to the construction and renovation of schools, establishment of primary healthcare centres, provision of solar-powered streetlights, and support for local economic activities as part of the senator’s contributions.
Ibrahim also referenced recent empowerment programmes attributed to the senator, including distribution of vehicles to local government party officials, tricycles for stakeholders, and other support packages aimed at youth and women groups. He said these initiatives were designed to strengthen party structures at the grassroots level and encourage wider participation within the APC.
Describing the suspension as lacking legitimacy, the senator’s media office characterised the action as a “social media-driven process” with no grounding in established party procedures. The statement urged party members and the public to disregard the announcement, insisting that disciplinary measures within the APC must follow due process and established constitutional provisions.
The disagreement highlights ongoing internal tensions within party structures in parts of Kogi State, where local leaderships and elected representatives have occasionally clashed over influence, loyalty, and control of political networks. While the ward executives maintain that disciplinary action was necessary to protect party unity, the senator’s camp insists that the allegations are unfounded and politically driven.
As of the time of reporting, the APC state leadership in Lokoja had not issued a formal public response on whether the suspension will be upheld, reviewed, or set aside.
