Expansionist Move Of Igala Kingdom: Group Begs Affected Kingdoms To Be Cautious

A non-governmental and non-religious group, De Club 10 Nigeria has appealed to Ebira Kingdom and that of Lokoja and Koton Karfe to be cautious in the way they handle the recent expansionist move by the Igala to extend Igala Kingdom to their domain via court judgement.

In a communique issued today, June 5, and signed by its President, Alhaji Saidu Yusuf, De Club 10 Nigeria said that though the judgment caught the people on the other side by surprise, but that the case cannot stand the rigour of appeal.

The Club noted that the constitution and land use Acts, are clear that land matter should be made to go through some processes before a final decision is arrived at, adding that all parties are necessarily required to be rigorously involved.

It said that the colonial laws and situations which were presented by the Igala Kingdom to swing the case in its favour cannot stand under the current constitution and democracy.

The Club said that the issue of the ownership of Ajaokuta in particular, had been settled since 1995 via a letter capturing all the historical facts and figures by the late paramount ruler, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Mohammed Sani Omolori to the then head of State, late General Sani Abacha that humbled the Igala Kingdom.

Describing the controversial judgment as a jankara market judgment, De Club 10 Nigeria advised Igala people not to instigate tribal hatred and war in the state that had so far enjoyed relative peace and unity.

It equally called on the people who are aggrieved by the judgment not to do anything that would portray them as lawless, assuring that the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello is taking adequate steps to assuage the affected people.

“Surely, the governor, who is also affected by the judgment, having come from Kogi central where Ajaokuta is located, will not sit down and watch the state torn into shred through the expansionist ambition of some people.”

In the extracts from the communique sent to the Ohinoyi of Ebira land, Dr. Ado Ibrahim, the Club appealed that all the  Traditional Council members should be made to calm nerves in their localities.