The National Leader of Ukomu Igala Organisation, Major General James Alilu Ataguba (rtd), PhD, has called on political leaders, candidates and supporters in Kogi East to uphold political freedom, unity and tolerance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ataguba, in a public notice addressed to sons and daughters of Kogi East, also cautioned political actors against using the collective identity of the Igala nation, the Bassa people and the wider Kogi East constituency to legitimise personal or partisan interests without broad-based consultation.
He said the leadership of Ukomu Igala, alongside other concerned stakeholders, had spent more than a year working to bridge divisions, rebuild trust and restore the dignity and political influence of the area.
According to him, the progress made in fostering unity must not be undermined by partisan disagreements or political rivalries.
“As the road to 2027 opens before us, we must set a firm, intelligent standard for how political business will be conducted in Kogi East,” he said.
The retired general stressed that freedom of political association was a constitutional right that must be respected, irrespective of party affiliation or electoral preference.
He urged political leaders and their supporters to reject intimidation, harassment, threats and political thuggery, insisting that electoral competition should be driven by ideas, performance and credible development plans rather than violence.
Ataguba specifically expressed concern over reported incidents of political thuggery and violence in Ejule, Ofu Local Government Area, warning that such developments must not become a precedent in Kogi State.
“Politics in Kogi East must be a battle of superior ideas, proven track records and vision, not a display of raw criminal force or suppression,” he stated.
He further maintained that while individuals and political groups were free to endorse candidates of their choice, no individual or faction should appropriate the collective identity of Kogi East, the Igala nation or the Bassa people to advance a partisan position without legitimate consultation.
According to him, the region must protect its collective bargaining power and avoid political arrangements that exchange long-term interests for immediate relevance or narrow partisan gains.
On preparations for the 2027 elections, Ataguba described Kogi East as a significant electoral constituency with more than 1.1 million registered voters, arguing that its political weight should translate into concrete commitments to development.
He disclosed that a team of non-partisan, qualified and trusted leaders would, in due course, undertake a systematic assessment of the manifestos, records and policy commitments of candidates seeking the region’s endorsement.
Representatives of presidential candidates would also be invited to present their proposals directly to representatives of the constituency as part of efforts to ensure that political support was based on measurable commitments rather than campaign promises.
The initiative, he explained, was intended to promote a more strategic and evidence-based approach to electoral engagement, enabling Kogi East to negotiate more effectively for its socio-economic development.
Ataguba urged the people to sustain constructive political engagement despite their differing party affiliations, stressing that their shared heritage and development aspirations should take precedence over partisan divisions.
“Our political affiliations will differ, but our heritage, dignity and socio-economic prosperity are inseparably bound together,” he said.
He called on the people to demand substance over political spectacle, assess candidates on the basis of character and performance, and insist on credible development roadmaps.
The Ukomu Igala leader added that unity, strategic thinking and deliberate political engagement remained essential to securing the region’s rightful place in Nigeria’s political landscape.
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