The attention of the Uchola Media Office has been drawn to a public statement credited to Ogah Mark Okpanachi, titled “Statement of Reminder on the Unresolved Injustice Against the People of Ibaji over the KOSOPADEC Amendment.” While the concerns of Ibaji people are legitimate and respected, the narrative presented in that statement is selective, misleading, and deliberately silent on critical facts known to all principal stakeholders.
For the avoidance of doubt and in the interest of truth, the following facts must be clearly stated:
- Contrary to the impression created, the Expanded Ibaji Stakeholders’ Meeting held at the residence of HRH (Dr.) John O. Egwemi, the Onu Ibaji, was not a gathering of one-sided voices. It was attended by Ibaji’s highest traditional authorities, elders, and critical political leaders, including the Executive Chairman of Ibaji Local Government, the Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, and the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture from Ibaji Local Government Area. Any attempt to downplay this collective leadership presence is dishonest and unacceptable.
- Following that meeting, a jointly agreed communiqué was drafted and formally transmitted to the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Dr. Joel Oyibo. In line with due process, the Deputy Governor officially forwarded the communiqué to His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
- In a clear demonstration of goodwill, responsiveness, and leadership, the Executive Governor immediately ordered an emergency engagement within a specified period to address the concerns raised by Ibaji stakeholders. That period has not elapsed, and engagements are already ongoing through recognized channels.
- It is therefore false and irresponsible to suggest that the Governor or the Kogi State Government has maintained silence or deliberately ignored Ibaji. Such claims are intended to inflame emotions, not to resolve issues.
- The attempt to frame the matter as deliberate marginalization while active dialogue is in progress is not only misleading but also undermines the collective efforts of Ibaji leaders who are currently engaging the government in good faith.
The Uchola Media Office finds it troubling that a stakeholder who claims to speak for Ibaji would ignore these verified developments and instead resort to language capable of heating up the polity. Ibaji’s strength has always been in strategic engagement, unity, and responsible leadership—not emotional blackmail or public agitation driven by half-truths.
Let it be clearly stated:
Ibaji is not powerless, but Ibaji is also not reckless.
Ibaji demands justice, but Ibaji also understands the process.
We therefore call on Ogah Mark Okpanachi and other individuals issuing unilateral statements to exercise restraint, respect ongoing engagements, and avoid portraying the Ibaji struggle as abandoned or ignored when, in fact, it is actively being addressed.
The Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, is a people-oriented leader who has shown readiness to listen and act in the interest of justice. The people of Ibaji should remain calm and united as positive outcomes are being worked out through legitimate and responsible dialogue.
The Uchola Media Office will not hesitate to correct misinformation and defend the truth whenever the Ibaji people or the Kogi State Government are unfairly misrepresented.
Signed:
Uchola Media Office
Lokoja, Kogi State
