Concerned stakeholders in Kogi East have raised serious allegations against the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Comrade Salifu Oyibo, accusing him of failing to curb—and allegedly aiding—the activities of political thugs operating within Ejule and surrounding communities.
The allegations follow a violent disruption of an African Democratic Congress (ADC) ward meeting in Ejule-Alla, Ofu Local Government Area, which left several party members injured.
Accusations of Political Intimidation
Ibrahim Dansoho, a prominent stakeholder in the region, criticized the Deputy Governor’s leadership, alleging that the rise in thuggery is a tactical effort to intimidate the electorate ahead of upcoming elections. Dansoho further claimed that the lack of developmental projects, such as basic infrastructure like boreholes in the Idah-Ibaji Federal Constituency, has left the administration with little to campaign on, leading to an over-reliance on coercive tactics.
“The thuggery is designed to distract attention and scare the people to ensure they maintain control,” Dansoho alleged. He expressed frustration at the deteriorating security situation, noting that the highways connecting Kogi East to the South-East and Idoma land have become treacherous due to persistent kidnapping activities, which many locals link to the same criminal elements.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has formally petitioned the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to conduct an urgent investigation into Tuesday’s attack. According to the party, suspected All Progressives Congress (APC) loyalists disrupted their meeting at the residence of the Ejule-Alla Ward Chairman.
The ADC Zonal Chairman, Adaji John Udale, described the violence as a direct assault on the democratic right to free association.
“We urge the Nigeria Police Force, the DSS, and other security agencies to urgently investigate this incident and bring those responsible to justice,” Udale said. “It is deeply worrying that this incident occurred in Ejule-Alla Ward, the hometown of the Deputy Governor. We urge the authorities to ensure that political differences do not continue to degenerate into violence.”
Udale further appealed to Igala socio-cultural organizations and traditional community leaders to take a firm stance against political violence. He emphasized that the region’s political future must be determined by dialogue, persuasion, and the ballot box, rather than through the use of armed thugs to disrupt lawful political assemblies.
The ADC has urged its affected members to remain calm and law-abiding while the party explores legal avenues to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable.
As of press time, the office of the Deputy Governor had not yet issued a formal response to the allegations.
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