A socio cultural umbrella body of Ebira speaking people in Kogi State: Ebira Peoples Association (EPA) has condemned the inclusion of Ajaokuta in the demand for Okura State by Igala people.
A Communique emanating from an extraordinary national executive council meeting of EPA, held on July 19, described the inclusion of Ajaokuta in the map of the proposed Okura State from Kogi State as “bizarre.”
The Communique, which was signed by the President-General of EPA, Dr. Godwin Oyibo, appreciated the show of patriotism by all Egbira sons and daughters, both at home and outside home “in condemning what appeared an affront on the collective sensibilities of the Egbira nation.”
The EPA said it was dismayed over what it described as “the clandestine move on the part of the Igala brothers from across the River Niger,” who it said had “thrown caution and civility to the wind in their quest to possess what rightly belong to others.”
It queried the rationale behind their resort to self help and contempt in a case that is still before a court of competent jurisdiction and still awaiting final determination.
The meeting, which was attended by the National Executive Council members and the association’s chapters’ leadership from the states across the country, charged all Ebira sons and daughters and other peace-loving Kogites to remain calm and peaceful, assuring that Egbiras will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that no one dispossesses them of their ancestral land.
“The leadership of EPA is to liaise with the Ohinoyi of Egbira to mobilize and engage all our leaders, particularly those in political positions to rise up to the occasion to logically resolve all these crass land encroachments.”