The Okuns and the Ebiras, the most resourceful, engaging and outgoing ethnic groups in Kogi state, are becoming implacable enemies. Increasingly, they seem to hate one another with pure hatred. I never appreciated the extent of their animosity until the recent political happenings in the state. Now, hardly aday passes that you will not find Okuns and Ebiras exchanging hateful words on different platforms. This hatred is becoming so deep-seated; it needs to be addressed before it gets completely out of hand. It is time to call a truce. A conscious effort needs to be made by opinion-leaders on both sides of the ethnic divide to put a stop to this nonsense
Quickly, I will be discussing on the ethnic stereotyping between the Okun and the Ebiras. To the Ebiras, the Okuns are the masters of duplicity and deception; saying one thing while meaning another. To the Okuns, the Ebiras are cruel and ill-bigoted in behavior. But the truth is that stereotypes are essentially generalizations and exaggerations. In a lot of cases, they are unreliable and untrue. Stereotypes must be recognized at their most effective as a joke. They are the stock-in-trade of seasoned comedians; the garnish for side-splitting anecdotes at weddings and social gatherings. Stereotypes should not be taken seriously, we should laugh at them without being offended bythem.
The more the old kwarans develops as a melting pot ofThe state, the more we should be able to laugh at ourselves. The greater inclination to do this denotes increasing strength of character and self-confidence. However, with the recent political differences between the two ethnic groups, the banter has gone way beyond the jocular and innocuous to outright malice and unadulterated hatred.
The Hon J. Falake case against Gov Yahaya bello has become the Ebira case against the Okuns. In the process, it has easily overshadow the unity and synergy that used to exist before creation of Kogi state, an example of such unity is when The Aro of Mopa Chief S.B Awoniyi drums necessary support for his Ebira brother Alhaji Adamu Atta during his 1979 bid to become the 1St civilian governor of Kwara state. This fold of events has also lead to the disappearance of the unity display during the initial quest for power shift in the last gubernatorial campaign.
Before I drop my pen, I will like to state that we the Okuns and the Ebiras do ourselves great disservice by seeing ourselves as arch-enemies. Within the framework of Kogi politics, this will limit the freedom of action of both ethnic groups. As a Comrade am not against the Okuns trying to protect the mandate of their Son likewise also am not saying the Ebiras shouldn’t guide the God rare privileged giving to their Son, but all am agitating is for the two ethnic groups to stop politicking and focus on development pending when the Supreme court will give the final judgment. Hence I urge us all that the political space should be opened up by the possibility that the Okuns and the Ebiras can form an alliance. Instead of been manipulated against each other
However, that eventuality is not implausible especially because they actually have common interests. Both groups prefer a state where equality is the bench mark and no one seems to be a slave in his father land.This prepare a ground for cooperation as opposed to discord. If the Igalas is not to continue to take the old kwarans for granted, they must not be allowed to continue to operate in the confidence that the Okun and the Ebira will always be divided.In politics, there are no permanent enemies and no permanent allies. In theSecond World War, Germany was the arch-enemy of France, but now both countries are the staunchest allies. Japan invaded the United States; but now both are on the same side. These turnarounds can and should be duplicated in our case.
In conclusion, as a first step, there is need for a grand gesture. A well publicized meeting between the Okun development Association (ODA) and the Ebira Peoples Association (EPA), where declaratory statements should be made about burying the hatchet. Thereafter, standing committees with traditional chiefs as members should be established to deal with flashpoints. The hatred between okun and the ebira has gone on for far too long. Let there be love shared among us!
Thank you.
– Comrade Makanjuola Dahunsi F.
