A video circulating on social media has shown a commercial tricycle rider in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State removing an opposition candidate’s campaign poster from his tricycle following an alleged directive by the council chairman, Ademu Mohammed Yahaya, threatening Keke operators with eviction from their park if they failed to comply.
The video, obtained by ChroniclesReporters on Tuesday, captured the rider dismantling campaign branding belonging to an opposition candidate contesting the Ankpa/Olamaboro/Omala Federal Constituency.
According to information surrounding the incident, the council chairman allegedly directed all commercial tricycle operators operating from the Otukpo Road Park in Ankpa to remove opposition campaign posters from their tricycles or risk losing access to the park.
In the footage, the rider was seen removing the campaign material while speaking in the Igala dialect. His explanation, translated into English, suggested that the action was being taken because of pressure from the local government chairman.
“We placed it on our Keke and the Chairman asked us to remove it from our Keke if not we will not stay at this park here (Otukpo Road Park, Ankpa),” the rider said.
A passerby who questioned the rider’s decision challenged the alleged directive, arguing that commercial tricycle operators, as private business owners, should be free to support political candidates of their choice without facing threats or restrictions.
The passerby further argued that if the chairman wanted the operators to leave the park, he should provide an alternative location where they could continue their businesses rather than allegedly forcing them to remove campaign materials belonging to an opposition candidate.
“But this is not how they do election. If he says you people must leave, he must provide another place for you people. Even if he takes you people to that riverside there, passengers who want Keke must come,” the passerby said.
He added that the operators had the right to support any political candidate, just as the council chairman was entitled to support his preferred candidate.
“As a private business owner, you have the right to support whoever you want just like he has the right to support his own since it is not APC that gave you people the Keke,” he stated.
Responding to the criticism, the rider maintained that the operators could not afford to disregard the directive because of the consequences they might face if they refused to comply.
“You know APC people, where they gave us to stay if we fail to remove it, is not good for us,” he said.
The individual referred to as “he” during the exchange was identified as the Ankpa Local Government Chairman, Hon. Ademu Mohammed Yahaya.
The incident has raised concerns over alleged political intimidation, the exercise of administrative authority and restrictions on opposition campaign activities ahead of elections.
The report also contained allegations that the council chairman had been associated with intimidation and threats. However, these allegations could not be independently verified.
Attempts to obtain the chairman’s response and clarification regarding the alleged directive were unsuccessful, as he reportedly did not answer his telephone calls as of the time the report was filed.
The chairman’s position on the allegations was therefore not available at the time of publication.