•Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu
A political group, Kogi East APC Justice Vanguard has launched a scathing attack on the Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, accusing him of sponsoring coordinated media attacks against the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State over the recently concluded Kogi East senatorial primary election.
In a communiqué issued today and signed by its spokesman, Comrade Musa Ameh, the group described the primary election as “free, fair, transparent and credible,” insisting that the process reflected the genuine will of party members across Kogi East.
According to the group, the attacks against the party leadership began after the preferred candidate of the Minister failed to emerge victorious at the primary, accusing some political actors of attempting to undermine the same democratic process that previously worked in their favour, reports Daily Independent.
The group alleged that the daughter of the sitting Senator is the wife of the Steel Development Minister, saying that the minister wants to turn the party into a family business.
The communiqué noted that the APC’s internal democratic mechanism had in both 2019 and 2023 produced Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho as the party’s candidate without resistance from stakeholders in the district.
“It’s ironic and unfortunate that individuals who benefitted from fairness and due process yesterday have suddenly become opponents of internal democracy simply because the outcome no longer favours them,” the group stated.
The group further alleged that there was a deliberate effort to turn the political structure of Kogi East into what it called “a family enterprise,” noting that Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu is already serving as a Minister under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration while Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho has also remained a major beneficiary of the party’s political opportunities.
The group claimed that the current tension within the party was fueled by desperation to retain political dominance within a narrow circle, warning against attempts to intimidate party leadership or manipulate the outcome of the primary election through media propaganda.
The group condemned what it described as the recruitment of “media minions and political jobbers” to attack the integrity of the Kogi State APC leadership and create division within Kogi East.
Throwing its weight behind Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, the group praised the Governor for maintaining neutrality and allowing party members to freely determine their political future without interference.
“The governor has demonstrated maturity, fairness, and respect for democratic choices. He shouldn’t be vilified for allowing the people to speak through a credible process,” the communiqué added.
The Kogi East APC Justice Vanguard reaffirmed its loyalty to the leadership of the APC in Kogi State, stressing that the party must remain united and strong ahead of future political contests.
The group, however, warned that any attempt to tamper with the choice freely made by party members could destabilise the peace in Kogi East.
“Any attempt by powerful interests to manipulate or subvert the will of the people could trigger avoidable political unrest and deepen divisions within the zone,” the statement warned.
The group concluded by insisting that “the people of Kogi East have spoken clearly, and their voices must be respected.”
