Your Excellency,
We, the Council of Elders and Chiefs of Kogi Central Senatorial District, write this open letter with a deep sense of responsibility and concern over the political situation in Ebiraland and the need to preserve peace, justice, and the integrity of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Our appeal is driven by the painful experiences of our people over the past several years. During the administration of former Governor Yahaya Bello, Kogi State was frequently associated with allegations of political violence, intimidation, election-related unrest, and insecurity. Many families in Ebiraland still mourn loved ones who reportedly lost their lives or disappeared during periods of political conflict, while many of these cases remain unresolved in the public domain. These memories continue to create fear and anxiety among our people whenever elections approach.
As elders, we firmly believe that elections should be won through popularity, credibility, and the free choice of the electorate—not through intimidation, violence, or any action capable of undermining public confidence in democracy.
The National Leadership of our party is undoubtedly aware of the controversies and public concerns that surrounded previous elections in Kogi State. Reports and allegations arising from those elections have continued to attract national attention and have affected the image of our great party.
The outcome of the 2023 Kogi Central Senatorial Election demonstrated that the will of the people can prevail. Despite the political influence of former Governor Yahaya Bello and the APC structure in the district, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan defeated the APC candidate and was declared the winner. That election showed that the people of Kogi Central are prepared to freely choose their representatives whenever the electoral process is allowed to reflect the wishes of the electorate.
We are further concerned by recent public statements attributed to former Governor Yahaya Bello, which many party members have interpreted as threatening and divisive. Such rhetoric has heightened political tension within the party and among the people of Kogi Central. We respectfully urge the National Working Committee to address these concerns in the interest of peace and party unity.
Furthermore, we respectfully call on the National Chairman and the National Working Committee to clearly communicate the authentic APC senatorial candidate for Kogi Central in accordance with the party’s Constitution, electoral guidelines, and the rule of law. Transparency and fairness are essential to preventing avoidable conflicts and maintaining confidence in the party.
Our appeal is simple: no political ambition should be placed above the lives and security of our people. Ebiraland has paid too high a price for political conflicts. We cannot afford another cycle of fear, violence, or bloodshed.
We therefore passionately appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the National Chairman of the APC, and the North Central APC Leadership to intervene decisively and ensure that justice, fairness, internal democracy, and the rule of law prevail.
Let history remember this leadership as one that chose peace over conflict, justice over impunity, and democracy over intimidation.
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria, our great party, and the good people of Ebiraland.
Signed
Pastor Okatahi Oricha
Chairman
Ustaz Abdulhameed Onusagba
Secretary General
For and on behalf of the Council of Elders and Chiefs, Kogi Central Senatorial District
