June 27th 2021 will make it eleven months since HRM Agabaidu Idakwo Ameh Oboni II joined his anscenstors, thereby throwing the whole Igala Kingdom into mourning and grief. More painful is the fact that since we lost the Attah Igala who is the fulcrum of Igala Unity,
Development and Progress Igala land has continue to dwindle in all spheres. The abscense of Attah Igala means alot and spells doom for the Igala Nation. For this reason, the Igala Native Customs provides a three month mourning period for an Attah that has gone of hunting exhibition and 30 days selection period.
While we were still waiting for the process of selection of a new Attah Igala, A prominent Kingmaker Ajo Agbenyo also died. Weeks later on the 6th of March 2021 the HRH Achadu Attah Igala who is the husband to Attah Igala also joined his anscenstors. Therefore as it is, Igala people are completely orphaned Politically, Economically, Socially and Traditionally. In all of these sad occcurances, The Kogi State Government and His Excellency Governor Yahaya Bello has stylishly refused to pay condolence visit to the Igala Kingdom. That not withstanding the number of deaths of three prominent Kings, Igala Kingdom took the bitter pill and moved ahead with comforting and comporting their people.
However, a selection process that ordinary would have taken thirty or sixty days has been deliberatly delayed and frustrated due to various interest and agitations. Sixteen aspirants justled for the vacant Stool. At a time we were informed that the kingmakers had forwarded a name, then we were informed that there were allegations and counter allegations of corruption of process. Later we were informed of a review committee headed by Ojogba Onu Ife who also recommended another candidate. The whole process is confusing to the extent that almost every week, the Igala people at home and diaspora are being woken by series of Breaking News on emergence of Attah Igala , with all candidates laying claims to the throne.
In all these, Kogi State Governor has not shown the strong will and interest to get this important assignment of Appointment of the next Attah done in good time. There has been suspicion of conspiracy and playing the ostrich. This made concerned elders and stakeholders of Igala Nation dig deep into this development. It seems some sections of the state are beginning to enjoy and jubilate over this stalemate. In situations like this, Kogi State Government is expected to be an arbiter to bring this crisis to an end but have failed to do so for obvious reasons. Same lockjam happened in Kabba some years ago over the selection of Obaro of Kabba, but Kogi State Government found a solution to the issue. Also it happened in Ebira land and the Government settled this issue with led to the coronation of of HRH Dr. Jimoh Eneji Ahmed as the 13th Obobanyi of Ohionwa Clan in Ihima on March 20, 2021 this year.
This made some critical stakeholders to deliberate on why we are being treated differently, The outcome of this investigation is worrisome and capable of dividing tribal unity and causing cohesion, stereotype and ill feelings. It was discovered the Ebira People’s Association (EPA), Stakeholders from Kogi Central and Traditional Chiefs from Ebira land headed by the Ohinoyi of Ebira land are currently mounting pressure on His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello who is their son to persuade him into delaying the process for three years to allow the Ohinoyi of Ebira land continue acting as President Kogi State Council of Chiefs. The plan among other things is also to frustrate the unity and development of Igala people ahead of Census and other demographic indices .
If these information and findings are something to go by, then the assumed unity in diversity of Kogi State is a game, mirage and ploy.
We call on Kogi State Govenor to prove these elements of dis unity wrong by refusing their demands and risingBi to the occasion and put an end to this delay and quagmire.
Musa Arome. Obaje
For concerned Igalas.
