SAN FRANCISCO, June 14, (THEWILL) – The Igala socio-cultural group on Wednesday averred that the inclusion of Igala land as part of Biafra is an insult to their sensibilities, stressing that the ethnic group remains committed to the unity, oneness and indivisibility of Nigeria.
The group, through its spokesman, Chief Barry Idakwo, said at a press briefing in Lokoja that the inclusion of Igala land on the Biafra map was not only insulting but also provocative to the Igala race, adding that the declaration of Igala kingdom as a clan by the Biafra agitators is as a result of ignorance of history and mischief.
According to Idakwo, “It is therefore unthinkable to annex the Igala kingdom without consulting us. Probably this may be due to the erroneous belief that Igala kingdom is a clan thus not important to consult the people of the great Igala kingdom before being annexed as part of the agitation.”
“This is against the spirit of fairness, sovereignty, equity, peaceful cohabitation and democracy to forcefully and falsely claim that a great kingdom as the Igala kingdom, which was never defeated in any war is part of Biafra.”
Asserting that every Nigerian citizen has the constitutional right to freely live wherever such an individual or group chooses within the ambit of laws and in the interest of peace and security, the Igala socio-cultural group advised Igbos to engage the authorities more purposefully for quality governance rather than agitating for an independent state.
Urging northern youths to embrace the oneness of Nigeria as a nation, Idakwo said, “We, as a people in the Middle Belt crave for peace at all times because when war breaks out, we will be at the receiving end as the theatre of war. The last civil war holds very unpleasant testimonies”.
The spokesman stated that there is minimal federal presence in terms of infrastructure and economic activities in Igala kingdom, even when their allegiance and commitment to the stability of the federal government is total. He urged the federal government to look into issues that may threaten the peace and development of their kingdom.
Some of their demands were listed as follows; the need to continue urgently the construction of Bagana-Guto bridge to ease access to the Federal Capital Territory as this will encourage economic activities, unity and proximity to the centre of governance; establishment of a full fledge Naval Base at Idah, and establishment of an army barrack in Olamaboro Local Government Area; and an immediate swearing in of Prof. Stephen Ikani Ocheni as minister to enable the Kogi people have a sense of belonging and make input in national affairs.
