,,,,,Urge Egbiras to shun external forces.
By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
Sen.Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
(C) Wikipedia.
The people of Egbiraland, Kogi State, have been urged to seize the opportunity provided by the Federal High Court’s ruling in Lokoja on March 20, 2025, to foster unity and reconciliation among themselves rather than deepening divisions.
Pastor Suleiman Joseph (Manjoe), Coordinator of the Ebira Renaissance Group (ERG) and a representative of the Founding Fathers of the Ebira Youth Congress, made this appeal in a statement available to The Reporters in Lokoja on Friday, emphasizing the need for peaceful engagement.
The court had issued an interim injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or acting upon any recall petition containing fictitious signatures against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senator representing Kogi Central.
The ruling also halted any referendum process related to the recall pending further legal determinations.
Pastor Manjoe,who expressed displeasure over the recall attempt, described it as a betrayal of the Ebira communal spirit, stressing that politics should not be used as a tool for personal vendetta.
He noted that respected religious leaders and community elders had raised concerns about the recall process, particularly during this season of penitence.
“I commend these men of God for their courage. This is not just politics; it is a sacrilegious act that undermines our values as Ebira people.
” Even in the Second Republic, the legendary philosopher and musician, Achewuru Obanyi Idoji, warned against destructive politics. We must not allow history to repeat itself,” he warned.
Responding to calls for traditional rulers in Egbiraland to intervene, Manjoe acknowledged their difficult position within the current political structure.
“They are appointees of the state and local governments, making it difficult for them to take an objective or patriotic stand. However, we can still seek their prayers for wisdom and peace in our land,” he noted.
Quoting Martin Luther King Jr., he reminded the Egbira people:
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
Manjoe urged the Egbira people to prioritize collective progress over divisive politics.
He reiterated the Ebira Youth Congress Charter, which emphasizes that the well-being of the community should take precedence over individual interests.
“We have no reason to betray the spirit and letter of this charter. Where is our communal spirit in all these shenanigans? The recall process, fueled by external influences, does not represent the true character of Ebira people,” he declared.
Our correspondent reports that as the political drama unfolds in kogi central, the question remains: Will the Egbira people choose unity and progress, or allow external forces to divide them? The answer lies in their hands.
