The lgala are nostalgic and proud about the exploits and accomplishment of their ancestors. That is the way of a proud race, one that has never been colonised by any black race. Unlike other ethnic nationalities in Central Nigeria, the Igala did not experience ‘foreign’ rule, the type that the Fulani Jihadists brought to Northern Nigeria.
We were not conquered by the Fulanis or Jukuns or any tribe becsuse of the type of leaders and the quality of the average Igala man, There were personal sacrifices made by our leaders and even our illustrious princess paid the supreme price to save her people. Igala warriors led by the Ibaji conquered the Afemai, the Esan and fought a bitter expansionist war with the Bini army. They gave us that place of pride in history and for that we remain eternally grateful for their efforts.. However, today the world of the lgala nation has changed as the craze now is for money and the good things of life.
In the course of time, I identified some internal flaws in our character which are militating against the political, economic and social progress of our ethnic nationality. The folk at home, the ‘boys’ and the leaders are to blame for the situation we now find ourselves. Let me explain.
*The Folks* The urge to make it in quick time, build a house and own a car has reduced the self esteem of the Igala resident at home, both the young and the old.. Poverty, hunger and relative deprivation has done so much damage to the concience of our people as they have been reduced to unwilling beggers. If you call any meeting today the mind of our people go straight to money ….how much is he giving? Their interest is in the morsel, not from whom or where it is coming from. And that was the reason that aided Mr Yahaya Bello the Ebira governorship candidate to make inroad in Igalaland in 2019 elections. I wish to state without fear of contradiction that leaders are recognised by the amount of money they doll out to people and the frequecy they ‘service’ followers. The folks are not loyal to anybody or any political party. They are like your smartphones, no credit, no deal.
*The ‘Boys’* The ‘boys’ include people of all grades, from teenagers to octogenarians, who are able to demonstrate their loyalty through sycophancy, backstabbing, treachery or shedding of blood. They include illitrates the political thugs, the educated, the elite and the extremely poor. They live in Igala land, in Abuja and other cities in Nigeria and in the diaspora. They usually identify themslves as politicians and honourables,Elders etc the ‘boys’ could be tricksters who know the most effective prayer men, marabouts, imams and prayer warriors. They inundate politicians and money men of Igala extraction with clever proposals and irresistible verbal presentations on how to win elections and how to exercise power. The ‘boys’ can say or do anything to extract money from would- be ‘exellencies’. The ‘boys’ can and often serve more than 2 masters.They quarantine gubernatorial aspirants and candidates and determine who talks to ‘his excellency’ and who does not. They share appointments into the cabinet of the ‘governor elect’ before the election is done.
The ‘boys’ are always on the move, energetic and full of ideas.They are always available to hail their paymasters. In public gatherings they defend the sordid past of their masters who did not live to expectation in their past leadership roles. They are the attack dogs if anyone tries to be different or fails to identify with the ideas and pronouncements of their paymasters. The boys kill the Igala nation in instalments as a result of greed and the struggle to belong.
*The Leaders* Leadership in our land is always a function of money, how deep your pocket is. Our people have never lacked leaders, it is just that the leaders never last on the stage for obvious reasons–lack of money. There has been a great turnover of leaders since 2003 when Abubakar Audu lost his re-election bid. Leaders came out in their numbers trying to rule the state. Many people are no longer leaders, again for the reasons of lack of resources.Some past leaders who ruled the state were not prepared for leadership. They came, saw and conquered resources for themselves. They did not impact the lives of their people meaningfully. They left goverment house richer than they came in, even as their people have no water to drink and no electricity to grow their cottage industries. However, they would empower some cronies especially chief thugs and fronts. It is interesting that several years after they vacate power, our former governors try to castigate another government for underdeveloping their people. Our political leaders would wail for the people and call for unity and reconcilliation when they or their wards want to contest election. Is it not time we talk about remorse and restitution? The people are united in their poverty and hunger. All we need at this point is to reconcile our concience with lost opportunities.
*The Blame Game?* The blame game does not help us but the aim of a post mortem is to learn some lessons and avoid certain human erors that should never happen again. If you go to Ebiraland today you will understand what your people expect you to do for them if you are in the driving seat. Good hospital, world class water project, institutions of higher education, electricity etc etc. I love the transformation of Okene, the Confluence University and its Teaching Hospital under construction. I admire the feat of the Ebiranization of the top echelon of Kogi State Civil Service and the heavy presence of Anebira in the Boards and parastatals of the Federal Govermentof Nigeria. Tough sons get such things done for their people, broken natives are too naive to contemplate that. Even at Ogugu, in Igalaland, see what Mr Edward Onoja is doing for his people. Never has any project of that magnitude been done anywhere in Igalaland for the benefit of the common man. That is how I rate leaders and leadership. Any other criteria?
WHAT MUST BE DONE
My observation is that we wish for better days ahead without willing to pay the price. Our hope and strength remain in our youths but most of them are the ‘boys’, their education and exposure not withstanding. The unfortunate fact is that most of our people, especially the youths toy with their future. They follow feudalists and mercantile politicians who do not know the pain of our people. Of what use are leaders who maintained cowardly silence in the face of injustice, cruelty and all forms of oppression metted to their peoplle? They do not risk anything for the sake of the people, even as they could buy the people guns and cutlasses to protect votes for themselves.
The Igala are nostangic and fervently desire to return to their rightful position in Kogi politics. I suggest the following measures that are necessary and of immediate importance:
*Enlightenment*. Enlighten and continue to educate your family on politics in lgalaland and Kogi State in general.. Impress it on the minds of every members of your family that lgala people have resoved to vote only for an Igala candidate. Your effort should be directed at members of your family and extended family, inlaws and friends.
*Registration of voters* Ensure that members of your family have voters card. Those who lost theirs due to whatever reason shoud go and get their cards back with effect from May/June 2021 as directed by INEC.
*Search For Good Learders*. Those who know the traits of good leaders should strive to get them out. The leaders must be knowledgeable,versatile and honest. Our leaders must be ready to restore our broken spirit. The leaders must be Igala body and soul and loyal to our race. They must not be bought and carried away by sycophants and the mafia(both internal and external). He must not be a religius fanatic. Leaders who did their earlier education in Igala land or have once lived among the people should be at advantage. Leaders who live outside our shores in the diaspora but have record of attending to and solving community problems are at great advantage. The search should be meticulous. Dont just accept anything imposed on you.Open your eyes, upgrade your morale values and pray. Search for young vibrant leaders, they are there!!
*Prepare For War.* As you whole heartedly resolve to serve your nation, be on your guard. Watch your back. Your preparation must start today, not January 2023. Election in Kogi is a war in many ways. There is the ta-ta ta-ta-phase. There is kill and go phase. There is INEC abracadabra phase, the tribunal jibiti phase and the take- it -or leave -it verdict of my Lords. I dont advocate for violence but prepare to stay alive.
*Look for Sponsors* Our people must look for sponsorship from among our sons and daughters to assist with the huge cost of running a gubernatorial election. Here our former Gorvenors must take the lead.
*Assert Yourselves*.Igalas must be ready to assert themselves. For any party in this countr to think that they can hurt the feelings of the lgala people without consequences is unbelievable. Its only the eyes of a child that fears a painted devil. We must collectively come to terms with our fate.
*We must organize*. The power of the poor lies in their ability to organize. We must cordinate ourslves in each of our hamlets, communities and towns. Lack of unity is being tauted as one of our drawbacks.Idont think so. Its just a cheap blackmail. Unity of purpose is what we need in Igala land.Not the utopian unity we call for everyday as if we are at war with each other. In any case the actions and inactions of every lgala son and daughter (not necessarily the leaders) will largely determine our sense of direction.
*Shun Cowardice* I regret to say that most lgala leadears love their safety and security so much that they preferred to be seen but not to be heard. for the fear of government thugs, security officials, armed robbers, bandits kidnappers etc. They fear lgala land and speak as if this is Borno State or a war .Leadears must speak up and kick where necessary. If leaders fear humilation and persecution, they are not yet leaders. What is leadership without courage. I wish Dino Melaye were an lgala. That is why I love Austin Okai and Austin Otene, my young Turks..Remember:”No guts, no glory”. And you know that.
*Enthrone justice, Shun Violence* It is important that we enthrone justice in our land, even as we must shun violence. I feel sad and devasted when ever l see or hear of injustice and violence among our people. We must do everything to recognise the right and dignity of each and every member of our great nation.We must fight security threats and breaches by exposing criminals in our domain
I wish to thank Dr Aminu Audu ffrom UK for his short comment on the need for us to radically change our ways froom greed and corruption to enable us choose the right leaders. It is this comment that motivated me to write this piece.