By joshua Concerned Kogi East Elites Forum accuses Enape of plot to divide zone ahead of 2027 Senate race
The Concerned Kogi East Elites Forum has accused a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Hassan Yakubu Enape, of allegedly engaging in political activities capable of undermining the unity of Kogi East ahead of the 2027 senatorial election.
In a statement signed and issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Muhammed Muktari Edibo, the group alleged that Enape was being used to promote what it described as a divisive political agenda aimed at weakening the chances of a popular candidate in the Kogi East Senatorial District.
The forum said, “The attention of the Concerned Kogi East Elites Forum has been drawn to the suspicious and divisive political activities of Alhaji Hassan Yakubu Enape in recent weeks.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Hassan Yakubu Enape is a known chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC. It is also now in the public domain that he has received financial inducement from the ADC Senatorial Candidate, Alhaji Aminu Abubakar Suleiman. With this kind of established political and financial interest, he cannot under any circumstance present himself as a neutral elder, a father figure, or an unbiased stakeholder in the affairs of Kogi East.”
The group further alleged that Enape had been holding meetings with selected elders and stakeholders across the nine local government areas of Kogi East as part of efforts to influence the choice of a senatorial candidate.
According to the statement, “Our investigations and credible reports from across the nine local government areas of Kogi East indicate that he is currently moving from one community to another, holding secret meetings with some elders and selected stakeholders. The aim is to, with the backing of certain APC elements, push for the endorsement of a weak, unmarketable, and unpopular candidate for the Kogi East Senatorial seat come 2027.”
Describing the alleged plan as a strategy to create disunity within the district, the forum stated, “Let us break down the strategy for the people to understand. The plan is deliberate and dangerous. Bring forward an unpopular candidate. When the truly popular and accepted candidate refuses to step down, it will create division, multiple interests, and eventual vote splitting across the zone. At the end of the day, this will weaken the collective strength of Kogi East and give undue advantage to the APC candidate. This is not democracy. This is manipulation.
“This is not politics. This is a direct sabotage against the collective interest, unity, and future of the Igala and Bassa people.”
The forum urged Enape to focus instead on issues affecting the people of Kogi East, particularly residents of Omala and Olamaboro Local Government Areas.
“If Alhaji Hassan Yakubu Enape is genuinely concerned about the welfare of his people, then he should channel his energy and influence to more important issues that affect us daily. For many years now, Omala and Olamaboro Local Government Areas have continued to suffer marginalization, neglect, and unfair treatment. We are shortchanged in federal and state appointments. Our roads, schools, and health centers are in deplorable condition. Our youths are unemployed. Yet the dominance of Ankpa Local Government Area in the allocation of resources and political positions continues unchecked. These are the issues a true elder should be shouting about, not promoting division for personal gain.”
The group insisted that political endorsements in Kogi East should be based on merit rather than influence or financial considerations.
“Kogi East deserves leadership with capacity, not leadership by conspiracy.
“Let it be placed on record and let every son and daughter of Kogi East hear it clearly: endorsement in our zone must never be for sale. It must be earned through service. It must be based on verifiable achievements, visible community projects, consistent youth and women empowerment, ability to attract federal presence and projects, and above all, genuine popularity and acceptance across all the nine local government areas of Kogi East.”
The forum further declared that it would resist any attempt to impose candidates on the people.
“We will not sit back and allow personal interest, selfish ambition, godfatherism, and money politics to determine who represents us at the National Assembly. The people of Kogi East are no longer politically naive. We know those who have stood with us during hardship. We know those who have invested in our education, our health, and our businesses long before election season. We also know those who only remember us when they need our votes.”
Addressing Enape directly, the group added, “To Alhaji Hassan Yakubu Enape, we say this with all sense of responsibility: Kogi East is bigger than any individual. Do not allow yourself to be used as a willing tool to destroy the unity and political future of our people for a pot of porridge. History will judge you.
“The people of Kogi East have made up their minds. In 2027 we will vote for competence, capacity, character, and credibility. We will vote for someone who can speak for us, attract development to us, and defend our interest in Abuja. We will not vote for conspiracy, blackmail, or sponsored division.
“The will of the people will prevail.”
Neither Alhaji Hassan Yakubu Enape nor Alhaji Aminu Abubakar Suleiman had publicly responded to the allegations contained in the statement as of the time of filing this report.