A political controversy has erupted in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State following allegations that the council chairman, Ademu Mohammed Yahaya, directed commercial tricycle operators to remove campaign posters of an opposition candidate or risk losing access to their designated park.
The alleged directive reportedly targeted Keke riders operating at the Otukpo Road Park in Ankpa, with operators allegedly warned to remove campaign branding belonging to Hon. Prince Gowon Enenche, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate for Ankpa/Olamaboro/Omala Federal Constituency, or face eviction from the park.
The development came to light after a video shared on Tuesday showed a tricycle operator removing the opposition candidate’s campaign poster from his vehicle.
In the footage, the rider, speaking in Igala, explained that the chairman had instructed operators to remove the posters or risk losing their operating space at the park.
A passerby who questioned the action challenged the alleged directive, arguing that commercial operators have the right to support political candidates of their choice and should not be punished for exercising that freedom.
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The rider, however, explained that the alternative location reportedly proposed for operators who refused to comply was unsuitable for their business.
The incident has sparked concerns about alleged political intimidation, freedom of political expression and the use of local government authority to restrict opposition campaign activities ahead of the elections.
The allegations against the council chairman have not been independently verified. Efforts by the media outlet that reported the incident to reach him for comments were reportedly unsuccessful as he did not answer his calls before publication.
There has been no official response from the council chairman regarding the allegation as of the time of this report.
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