By Olatunde Odimayo.
Against the backdrop of renewed agitation for the declaration of Biafra and the wrongful inclusion of Igala nation in the Biafran map, the Igala Socio-Cultural Group has come out to state that they are committed to hold the unity, oneness and indivisibility of Nigeria and won’t be pulling out.
The group, at a press briefing in Lokoja today, described the present agitation that has included Igala people on paper as not only provocative but insulting to the Igala race.
According to the group spokesperson, Honorable Barry Idakwo, they averred that the declaration of Igala Kingdom as a clan by the Biafra agitators is definitely a product of ignorance of history and mischief.
“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”, Idakwo explained.
The group pointed out that the Igala ethnic nationality is not part of the Biafra agitation and stressed that every Nigerian citizen has the constitutional right to freely live where ever such an individual or group so chooses within the ambit of our laws and in the interest of peace and security.
The Igala Socio-cultural Group however urged their Igbo brothers to engage the Nigeria nation more purposefully for quality governance rather than agitations for separatist state. They equally extended their message to the Northern youths to embrace the oneness of Nigeria.
On the issue of marginalization being canvassed by the agitators, Idakwo expressed dismay 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 has been total.
The group drew the attention of the Federal government to look into issues that may threaten the peace and development of the Igala kingdom. They called for speedily completion 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. They also called for the establishment of a full fledged Naval Base at Idah, and establishment of an army barrack in Olamaboro Local Government Area.
The group also called for immediate swearing-in of the minister from Kogi State, Prof Stephen Ikani Ocheni to enable them have sense of belonging and input to national affairs.
