Attah Igala, Idakwo Ameh Oboni
Recall, the FHC, Lokoja gave a ruling that returned the Ajaokuta, Lokoja and Kotonkarfi back to HRM Attah Igala.
But, let’s pause to take a cursory look at history as handed down.
Igala, Ebira, Idoma and other tribes make up the Kwararafa Confederacy of old.
The Ebira, Idoma and others have their progenitors as Idah princes.
All three tribes came from the old Kwararafa to Idah many centuries ago.
The Ebira and Idoma moved from Idah to their present locations.
Prince Itaazi was an Idah Prince (Farouk Ozigi Onimisi).
Now the Crux of the matter:
The present judgment was as a result of the case which was began by the late HRM Attah Igala, Dr. Aliyu Ocheja Obaje.
The case was reinstituted in 2017 against the British and Federal Government by the present Agabaidu.
It was not intended to spite other ethnic nationalities around the geographical location.
The case lingered till yesterday after about 18 adjournments. The Federal Government not State had an Attorney represented them.
Evidences was provided from various national and British archives; all in favor of Kwararafa. The Federal Government lawyer failed to proof his point. Whereas, Agabaidu backed his claim with documents and witnesses.
We have sighted many old archives including that of British and lord archived of 16th,17th and 18th century agreements between the colonial masters and the Igala Kingdom. To those who may wish to use this avenue to score cheap political points and wait in the sideline to cause some political pogrom, I tell you most assuredly, it’s mere ignorance to limit this victory to Igala kingdom alone when we have the Ebira and Idoma as equal stakeholders in the judgment.
It is more like trivializing issue of general geographical importance.
Our other brothers (Ebira and Idoma) went on expansionist mission to their present locations across Nigeria. And that’s the more reason you have an Attah of Ebira land from 1902 with Attah Omadivi being the first.
Therefore, if we must celebrate, then we must do that as a collective Kwararafa entity not an Igala individualistic thing.
Our brotherhood long began before any God knows political interest.
Don’t be deceived by the opposition agents of darkness trying to make a mountain out of mole hill.
Our continuous unity is non-negotiable for whatever reason.
Come to think of it, do any of you think our Ebira brothers and others will be driven out of the land of our collective ancestors? Hell NO!
The judgment was only aimed at setting the records straight and not the way some Igala PDP agents are going about it.
Nothing more, nothing less!
Written by: IYDC History Committee
