By Abdul Aji
The Ukomu igala Organisation, UIO, the mouthpiece of igala People, held a historical milestone summit on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at Ata Igala Civic Centre Idah where four committees were outlined to address the challenges of Igala people.
Targed “2026 Mahionu Summit, the UIO summoned prominent Igala sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora to analyse facts that would bring about lasting peace and reconciliation. Some participants came from United States of America and other countries.
The summit accepted to abide by the opinion of Dr. Sule Iyaji, former Deputy Governor in Benue State, to set up four committees that would address the various challenges of the Igala people.
The committees were political committee, security committee, intellectuals committee, and youth development committee.
It was resolved that members of political committee take up the task of screening and picking candidates that the Igala people present as their generally accepted candidate to avoid multiple contestants in future elections.
The security committee will address issues of bandits, kidnappers and thugs in the land. It was categorically mentioned that Igala people would no longer allow political thugs to have their way in Kogi East, as any havoc-causing thug would be decisively dealt with.
The summit also witnessed the reconciliation of aggrieved politicians in Igala land. The summit brought all past and present political office holders together to express their grievances and tender apology where they erred. There was expression of happiness in loud ovations when Chief Edward Onoja, a former Deputy Governor, got up and asked for forgiveness. Eventually, all politicians present, irrespective of political party, posed together in a group photograph to display the oneness of the Igala people.
The UIO called on Kogi state government to channel the 13% derivation fund from the federation accounts towards the development of Ibaji land. The UIO also called on federal and state governments to respect and abide by the Supreme Court on local government autonomy, to allow local councils use their allocations for developmental projects at the grass roots level. The summit observed that local governments in Kogi State have not being executing developmental projects in accordance with local government statutory law and function.
The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Elder Joel Salifu Oyibo, who was unable to attend the summit sent Honourable Mrs. Comfort Egwaba, state assembly member representing Ibaji, to represent him. Elder Oyibo appreciated the UIO leadership for organizing such great summit that brought Igala people together to speak with one voice.
He called for love and togetherness in Igala land as he expressed that, “our selfish interests should not supersede Igala’s general interest and well-being. Igala interest is bigger than individuals’ interest.’
Elder Joel said, ‘our unity should be our strength, adding that differences in political parties and opinions should not separate us.’ He called on all the sons and daughters of Igala to bring their resources together for the unity and development of Igala land.
Honourable David Zachariah, the House of Representative member at the National Assembly representing Idah Federal Constituency, was also at the summit to appreciate the efforts of UIO.
Hajia Salamatu Beiwa Umar Eluma, former National women Leader in APC, expressed griviances on how she was petitioned by Igala staff in the minister’s office for helping Igala sons and daughters get employments. She also said Igala sons did not allow her complete her second tenor as National Women Leader in APC.
Several dignitaries, too numerous to mention, from all works of life were present at the summit where Chief Sylvester Onoja and Dr. Sule Iyaji were the most elderly. Professors Elias Omale, Professor Ameh, Prof. Jumeyi Ogbadu, Chief Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, Retired Navy Commodore Godwin Obaje, and all notable traditional rulers in Igala land were present.
The summit was presided by the national Leader and Chairman, UIO, Retired Major General James Atagwuba. It was a summit that tend to address Igala challenges and every persons at the summit went back home with high spirit.
