BY Hon. Onujabe Nasir.
onujagbenasir@gmail.com.
Ododo
An enemy is ” a person who hates or dislikes and wishes to harm another” – Universal Dictionary & Thesaurus.
From the definition above there are lots of contradictions and mix up in the new found language the younger generations of Igalas and Okuns are speaking to misrepresent the brotherly relationship between them and Ebiras from time immemorial.
I have read from many social media where the new generation Igala youths were referring to Anebira as their enemies and even their matured leaders who ought to realize the co-operation and patience of Ebira nation with the Igalas for their 19 yrs of democratic rule.
On the memory lane of history, the Idomas, Ebiras and Igalas co-habited and even inter married as far back as 1400 A D. As a result of the expansion and some other factors we parted ways to settle in different locations. The 12 states created by Gen. Yakubu Gowon separated us further into different states which made each of us to fraternize with other cultural and tribal groups in the states we found ourselves.
By providence and continuity of brotherhood Gen. Babangida brought us together once again in 1991 under one umbrella of Kogi State to continue our age long relationship.
It was on this basis that Ebira nation was so magnanimous to have happily ceded the first civilian governorship position of the newly created state to the Igalas on platter of Gold, even when they never demanded for it. This was done in good faith on the premise that they (Igalas) will understand and abide by the principle of power rotation that was gentlemanly agreed upon.
As earlier said in my previous sensitization write-ups the Igalas had the privilege of having the first military Administrator of the state in person of Col. Danladi Zakari.
On political consideration the Ebiras have done more than enough for the Igalas to be appreciated and reciprocated without hesitation. We (Ebiras) have worked for three sons of Igalas, namely; (Prince Abubakar Audu, IBRO and Wada) consecutively as governor handing over to themselves. Both the Ebiras and Okuns did not pull the roof over our heads but remained patient and cooperated until God’s time
If I may ask, if handing over power to a tribal person makes that tribe an enemy who then is more of an enemy in Kogi politics considering the number of times the Igalas have handed power over to themselves?
We shall not call them enemies but a brother with shallow knowledge of brotherhood relationship in a “give and take” democratic space of our nascent democracy. On this note i wish to refer the new generation youths of the Igalas to ask their elders how they have governed Kogi state in the past, was there any consideration for other tribes during their hay days?
The political hypothesis of the Igalas’ 19 yrs power retention have become a theory in the political science of the state which every tribes must adopt as a norm in handing over barton within the ethnic nationalities in the state.
*OKUN PEOPLE AND POWER ROTATION*
Kogi state is on tripod stand of Ebira nation, Igalas and Okuns respectively, no one is more equal than the other in the new arrangement of leadership for the state. The leadership is moving in sequence on equity and justice basis hence power rotation is on course in the precedence of 16-16-16 theory.
Ebira nation is kind hearted and considerate to have choose 16yrs instead of 19yrs taken by our brothers from the east
If the Igalas could enjoy the cooperation of both Kogi Central and West in their 19 yrs of rule, why can’t Okuns and Igalas equally bear with the Ebiras in her quest to accomplish the 16years tenure as instituted.
The state is on the path of justice and fair representation of every ethnic tribe in the state. All the three zones will inshallah have their turn as and when due.
*THE NEED TO ALIGN KOGI STATE TO THE PARTY AT THE CENTRE*
Kogi state is a strategic and epic centre of Nigeria which form a fulcrum of democratic machines and a gateway for both the North, South and East to access the centre. Considering the natural resources deposit it possesses which is capable of bringing industrialization and employment generation, it would be foolhardy and suicidal to remove ourselves from the centre and allow these highly beneficial resources to rot away.
Since the creation of the state, it has never been isolated from the centre , therefore, I advise we eschew our primordial cleavages and work for the success of the state in anticipation of the goodies in victory. There are enough to share in victory to fulfill our individual interest and expectations.
May God help Kogi State and Nigeria!!!!.