By David Odama

The Eggon Forum has cautioned against what it described as moves by some individuals to create a parallel political endorsement ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Nasarawa State, warning that such an initiative could undermine unity among the Eggon people.

The forum, in a statement signed by Haruna Ali Alaku and Bashayi A. Umbugaku Keffi and made available to journalists, urged Eggon sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora to shun divisive politics and actions driven by personal interests.

The forum said it was drawing attention to reports of a proposed political endorsement by a group allegedly presenting itself as Eggon critical stakeholders.

It acknowledged the right of individuals and groups to participate in political activities and express their preferences, but said it was concerned about any initiative presented as a fresh or parallel endorsement on behalf of the Eggon people.

According to the statement, such an initiative could create confusion and division at a time when unity and collective purpose were considered crucial to the political aspirations of the people.

The forum stressed that its concern was not directed at any individual or political aspirant, but at what it described as the need to protect the unity and collective interests of the Eggon people.

It said the Eggon Political Forum, which it described as a broad platform with representation across the three senatorial zones and among Eggon people in the diaspora, had already taken a position on the 2027 governorship contest.

The platform had endorsed Rt. Hon. Dr. David Emmanuel Ombugadu as its sole candidate, a decision the forum said had received significant support within and outside the Eggon community.

It said the endorsement was based, among other considerations, on the belief that the Eggon people should pursue the governorship at this time rather than settle for the position of deputy governor.

The forum therefore urged Eggon stakeholders to approach any subsequent attempt to present a different position as a fresh “Eggon consensus” with caution, particularly if such an initiative could create the impression that the people were divided on an issue on which a representative platform had already taken a position.

It appealed for restraint, dialogue and respect for what it described as the collective aspirations of the Eggon people.

“The 2027 political contest presents the Eggon nation with an important opportunity to pursue its long-standing aspiration for greater political leadership in Nasarawa State,” the statement said.

It added that achieving the aspiration required “unity of purpose, strategic thinking and a willingness to place the broader interest of the people above individual political preferences.”

The forum, however, acknowledged that political support was not the exclusive preserve of any individual, group or platform.

It said every Eggon son and daughter remained free to support a candidate or political party of their choice, but cautioned against presenting individual choices as the collective position of the entire Eggon nation without broad consultation and demonstrable consensus.

It called on political leaders, elders, youths, women and other community stakeholders to avoid actions or statements capable of deepening divisions within the community.

The forum also said the Eggon people had a responsibility to other indigenous communities in Nasarawa State that might look to them for leadership and direction in the emerging political landscape.

“For this reason, we urge everyone involved in the purported parallel counter to exercise restraint and pursue dialogue rather than parallel declarations that could create avoidable confusion,” it said.

The forum maintained that the issue before the Eggon people should not be reduced to the political interests of individuals, but should focus on what advances the collective aspirations, unity, dignity and political future of the Eggon nation.

It urged Eggon sons and daughters at home and abroad to treat any purported parallel endorsement with caution and seek clarification on the mandate, representation and consultation process behind such an initiative.

“Eggon unity must remain the priority. Individual political interests should never be allowed to overwhelm the collective aspiration of the people,” the forum stated.