Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdulahi Bello

By Shola Oyeyipo

Just as the ruling party is handling the removal of the Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdulahi Bello, there were allegations that there was a plot by the Kogi East Zonal Chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to expel a former gubernatorial candidate of the party, Alhaji Jibrin Isah (Echocho).

A very authoritative PDP source told THISDAY that the meeting to expel Echocho who won the January 9, 2011 primary of the party was held at the Kogi East Zonal headquarters of the party in Anyigba last Saturday, with the governor, Captain Idris Wada in attendance.

Similar punishment was meted to a PDP chieftain from Mopa - Muro Local Government Area of the state, Chief Oyebode  Makinde, who is currently challenging Wada’s swearing-in. Makinde who is an ally of Echocho was expelled from the party vide a letter jointly signed by the chairman of Ward III, Ileteju Mopa, Moses Soje and Secretary, Bolanle Adebosin, for challenging the governor’s swearing in as governor by the President of the Customary Court in the state at a Federal High Court in Lokoja.

The media aide to Isa, Mr. Frank Shuaibu alleged that the ploy failed when his supporters mobilised en mass and stormed the secretariat.

“It was at that point that the leaders of the party, sensing the charged atmosphere occasioned by Echocho’s supporters stepped down the plan.”

“What happened on Saturday is a clear indication of the clout Echocho has among party members as well as the good people of Kogi State. We are not disturbed by their unholy machinations because Echocho is a loyal and committed member of the PDP who is in court against INEC and not the PDP. The PDP voluntarily sought to join the suit and they were so joined by the court.