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 Kogi East Senatorial District election.
In a statement signed and issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Muhammed Muktari Edibo, the forum alleged that Enape was being used to promote what it described as a divisive political agenda aimed at weakening the chances of a widely accepted candidate in the district.
According to the group, Enape’s recent political engagements raise concerns about attempts to influence the political direction of Kogi East through what it described as covert consultations and strategic endorsements.
“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,” the statement read.
The forum further alleged that Enape, a known chieftain of the ADC, had received financial backing from the party’s senatorial candidate, Alhaji Aminu Abubakar Suleiman, insisting that such an alleged relationship disqualifies him from presenting himself as a neutral elder or independent stakeholder in Kogi East politics.
“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 statement added.
The forum also alleged that Enape had been moving across the nine local government areas of Kogi East, holding meetings with selected elders and stakeholders in a bid to influence the emergence of a preferred senatorial candidate ahead of the 2027 election.
According to the group, the alleged strategy was designed to promote an unpopular candidate, thereby creating division among political stakeholders and splitting votes within the district.
“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,” the forum alleged.
Describing the alleged plan as dangerous, the group warned that any attempt to impose a candidate could fracture the political unity of the Igala and Bassa people.
“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 his influence on addressing developmental challenges confronting Omala and Olamaboro Local Government Areas, including poor infrastructure, unemployment, and what it described as persistent marginalization in political appointments.
“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 maintained that endorsements for the Kogi East Senate seat should be earned through service, performance, and widespread public acceptance rather than political influence or financial inducement.
“Kogi East deserves leadership with capacity, not leadership by conspiracy,” the statement noted.
It further stressed that any future endorsement should be based on measurable achievements, visible constituency projects, youth and women empowerment, the attraction of federal projects, and demonstrated popularity across the nine local government areas of Kogi East.
The forum vowed to resist any attempt to impose candidates on the people, insisting that the electorate would determine who represents the district in the National Assembly in 2027.
“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 forum urged him not to allow himself to be used to undermine the unity and political future of Kogi East.
“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.”
As of the time of filing this report, neither Alhaji Hassan Yakubu Enape nor Alhaji Aminu Abubakar Suleiman had publicly responded to the allegations contained in the statement.