The air in Igala land carries an eerie silence—a silence not born of peace, but of pause. A nation once rich in political voice and coordinated power now lingers at a crossroad, unable to summon the thunder it once unleashed in Kogi’s political theater. Like a warrior disarmed by forgetfulness, Igala politics stands tall in number but frail in cohesion. The question is no longer whether the people have power, but whether they remember how to use it collectively.
With over 1.8 million indigenes spread across Kogi East, the Igala people remain the state’s most populous bloc. Yet, elections come and go, and this numerical advantage rarely translates to political capital. What is missing is not strength, but structure; not presence, but purpose. The 2023 polls underscored this void. Multiple candidates emerged without unified backing, and scattered votes led to a scattered result. Democracy rewards solidarity, not scattered ambition.
The time has come for a new political ethos—one defined by focus, strategic planning, and sacrificial leadership. It is not enough to criticize or complain. As Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe aptly said, “Show the light, and the people will find the way.” Igala leaders must, therefore, rise above fleeting interests and lead a return to vision, not division. The elders must convene with wisdom; the youth must organize with intention; and the people must move from lamentation to coordination.
Our traditional rulers, spiritual leaders, and intellectuals cannot afford neutrality in a season of drift. Their silence is no longer golden—it is costly. Political advocacy must become a communal affair, rooted not in partisanship but in the preservation of dignity and destiny. A tree, as the Igala say, does not grow by shouting but by taking root. It is time to take root again—in unity, not uniformity.
The youth must play a pivotal role in this renaissance. Their energy should be channeled into civic education, community mobilization, and leadership grooming. Social media must evolve from a theatre of political gossip into a tool for strategic enlightenment. Entertainment must give way to engagement. A generation that inherits silence cannot complain of marginalization—it must rise to rewrite the story.
Politics must shift from personality cults to principle-based leadership. Candidates should be chosen not by wealth or noise, but by merit, discipline, and clarity of vision. Let those with competence be trusted with the task of rebuilding Igala’s influence across Kogi State. As former President Yar’Adua once observed, “Leadership is not about who is right, but about what is right.” This truth must guide every caucus, every alliance, and every candidacy moving forward.
This is a defining moment. Not one for regret, but for reawakening. Let the call go forth from Ankpa to Ibaji, from Idah to Omala: Unite or remain unheard. Let Igala rise with the voice of one—refined by experience, strengthened by history, and driven by a shared destiny. The time to regroup is now. The time to rebuild is now. And if we do not rise together, we risk falling separately into the forgettable pages of political history.
– Inah Boniface Ocholi writes from Ayah – Igalamela/Odolu LGA, Kogi state.
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