Jibrin Isah Echocho’s political family is currently in disarray following the desire of the Kogi State Chief of Staff, Edward Onoja, to encroach on the boundaries of his support for Echocho’s senatorial contest.
You will recall that Echocho was sponsored by Bello’s government to emerge as the Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District. The support was not based on the Government’s belief in the political ideology of Echocho, and least of all in identifying with the political heist Echocho suffered in his previous political engagements, but in the government’s fear Echocho might obstruct Bello’s 2019 gubernatorial contest should he (Echocho) decide to run against Bello in 2019, following the cult followership of Echocho’s political clout. That is, Echocho was sponsored as a way of stopping his gubernatorial ambition and paving the way for the government of Bello to have the leeway for bulk votes from Kogi East supporters of Echocho.
THE OBSERVERS TIMES observes that Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho did not enjoy the backing of the New Direction Government without some cash involvement. This cash, according to news from a reliable source, was a loan Echocho must pay into the private account of some forces within the New Direction Government. Echocho has since started to pay the loan from his allowances and salaries. Other lawmakers under the auspices of the New Direction Government, aside Hassan Abdullahi Baiwa, are caught up in this indebtedness.
Similarly, men and women who supported Jibrin Isah Echocho to emerge as the Senator are currently angry with him because the Chief of Staff to Yahaya Bello has hijacked the available jobs around the Senator; those that must work directly with the Senator must be emblazoned on the New Direction 4+4 occult fingers gesture and must be recommended and selected by the Chief of Staff. As it stands, those who supported the Senator will have to pass through the New Direction Government via the Chief of Staff in order to work with the Senator.
With this development, it will be a hard walk to success and possibility for the Senator to be useful to Kogi East and bring the needed development for Igala/Bassa land. These lawmakers, including the House of Assembly members can enjoy respite only if Bello loses his reelection bid.