2027: Group Warns Officials Against Endorsing Political Parties, Aspirants

The national leadership of Eggon Cultural and Development Association (ECDA) has warned its branches’ executives worldwide against dragging the body into partisan politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The umbrella body of the Eggon nation in Nasarawa State noted that its core mandate is to unify all kinsmen for the progress and development of the ethnic group, stressing that it will never become a political action committee, a campaign wing, or an endorsement vehicle for any individual or political party.

The body made this statement during a press conference on Monday in Nassarawa Eggon, the headquarters of Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Area in the state.

The President of the association, Chief Mandy David Abuluya, who read the text of the briefing, said the clarification became necessary following the purported endorsement of Hon. Solomon Akwashiki, an incumbent member of the State House of Assembly representing Lafia Central constituency, as the House Representative candidate for Lafia/Obi in 2027 by the Southern Zone executive.

Chief Abuluya stated that the actions of the ECDA Southern Zone executive are at variance with the association’s constitution and are capable of causing discontent and division among kinsmen worldwide.

“This ill-advised action is capable of projecting the entire Eggon Nation as engaging in narrow, divisive ethnic politics. In a multi-ethnic and multicultural environment like the Southern Senatorial Zone, such a move invites suspicion from our neighbours and other ethnic nationalities.

“If every tribe begins to officially endorse its ‘own’ candidates through their socio-cultural bodies, we risk reducing our vibrant democracy to a destructive contest of tribal blocs. This is not the path to inclusive development, and ECDA will not be a party to it,’ he observed.

He explained that the selection of a candidate in an election is the sole prerogative of political parties, based on their own constitutions and internal democratic processes and therefore not the business of ECDA.

“Our strength has always been our unity, our fairness to one another, and our commitment to the common good. It is these very principles that have enabled us to achieve landmark successes, from proudly showcasing our heritage to the world at International Museum Day to the ongoing revival of the Eggon Community Secondary School for our children. These are projects that unite us and foster goodwill with our neighbours. To abandon these principles for partisan politics is to undermine the very foundation of our progress.

“Therefore, to safeguard this unity and our cooperative spirit, the ECDA National Executive shall provide a platform that allows all Eggon political participants to share their interests, manifestos, and accomplishments. We will invite all, but endorse none. We will facilitate dialogue, but never dictate a choice. Our role is to ensure a level playing field, not to single out one person over another from any political divide”, he stated.

He stated that the association had therefore resolved to rescind and declare invalid the purported endorsement of any political aspirant by the ECDA Southern Zone. He urged the media and the public to disregard it.

Meanwhile, our correspondent was unable to immediately reach Hon. Akwashiki for comment, as he did not respond to his calls and messages.