By joshua 
Understanding the Okura State Quest
By James Aduku Odaudu, PhD
* History of the Agitation
The agitation for the creation of Okura State represents a long-standing aspiration of the Igala people to restore their historical autonomy and secure a fairer share in Nigeria’s federal structure. Historically, the Igala Native Authority was a powerful administrative unit within the Northern Region. The 1996 Constitutional Conference and subsequent state creation discussions revived this call, led by statesmen, traditional rulers, and professional groups.
At the heart of the current agitation is not just the desire for political representation but also a demand for governance, cultural identity, development, and justice.
* Restoration of Scrapped Local Governments
An important feature of the renewed agitation is the request for the restoration of the 14 local government areas created during Prince Abubakar Audu’s administration but later scrapped. This restoration is crucial to the administrative viability of Okura State, in line with constitutional requirements and the model followed in other newly created states.
* Old Native Authorities and Provinces That Have Become One or More States
Several regions that were once native authorities or provinces have now evolved into multiple states. These examples reinforce the fairness of the Okura State request:
Kano Province – Kano, Jigawa states. Kano still has 44 LGAs
Gombe Native Authority – Gombe State (carved from Bauchi), a full-fledged state with 11 LGAs;
Sokoto Province – Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara States. All three have strong federal presence;
Borno Province – Borno, Yobe States created for administrative convenience;
Calabar/Ogoja River – Cross River, Akwa Ibom. Previously one state, now two;
Benue-Plateau – Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa States. All formed from old Middle Belt structures.
NOTE that the Igala Native Authority, by comparison, remains the largest unpartitioned and underrepresented group within the federal arrangement, making the Okura demand a question of equity.
* Comparing the Population and Land Mass of the Proposed Okura State
Okura State, with an estimated population of over 3 million and a proposed 23 local governments, would be more populous and better structured than several existing states. This supports its viability as an administrative entity.
* Why It Is Beyond Producing the State Governor:
This agitation is not a power grab. It is a socio-political and developmental demand driven by:
The need for grassroots development,
Desire to protect and promote cultural identity,
The right to fair political representation, and the urgency to reverse structural imbalances.
Electing a governor from the area within a multi-ethnic state (like current Kogi) does not provide the same institutional autonomy and sustained development guarantees that a state structure offers.
* Why Ajaokuta, Lokoja, and Koton Karfe Cannot Be Included in the Request for Now
While these areas share geographic and historical proximity, their exclusion at this stage is based on:
Ethnic complexity (e.g., Ebira, Nupe, Bassa, Gwari populations).
Diverging political priorities—not all stakeholders are aligned with the Okura agenda.
Lokoja’s strategic role as the current Kogi capital and its multi-ethnic status make it unsuitable for easy integration into a homogenous, consensus-based state demand.
The focus is on a cohesive Igala bloc, with a united voice and clear-cut territorial claims, to avoid legal and administrative contestations.
Economic and Political Implications of Creating Okura State
Economic Implications:
The creation of Okura State, comprising the Igala and Bassa peoples, presents a transformative opportunity to unlock the region’s vast economic potential. Key economic benefits include:
Youth Employment and Empowerment: With a youthful population base, the new state would enable targeted employment schemes, entrepreneurship initiatives, and job-creating infrastructure investments.
Agricultural Industrialization: The fertile lands of Dekina, Ibaji, Bassa, and Omala are suitable for agro-allied industries, such as rice milling, cassava processing, livestock farming, and fishery development.
Mineral Resource Development: The region is rich in solid minerals (e.g., crude oil, limestone, coal, and kaolin). A dedicated state structure would attract both federal and private sector investment for exploration and processing.
Tourism and Cultural Economy: With historic sites in Idah (the Attah’s Palace, the confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue), natural attractions in Bassa, Omala and Ibaji, and vibrant festivals in Ankpa, Dekina, Bassa etc. , Okura State can develop a sustainable tourism economy.
Infrastructure Growth: The need to establish a new state capital will trigger investment in housing, roads, power supply, water systems, and ICT infrastructure across urban and rural areas.
Investment Magnet: With focused governance, ease-of-doing-business reforms, and economic autonomy, Okura State can attract banks, investors, educational institutions, and SMEs looking to tap into the region’s resources and population.
Political Implications:
The creation of Okura State would address long-standing imbalances and enhance national stability through:
Enhanced Political Representation: The Igala/Bassa region will gain more Senate, House of Representatives, and Ministerial slots, ensuring a stronger voice in national decision-making.
Restoration of Federal Trust: Granting statehood to a large, historically organized group shows responsiveness to grassroots demands and strengthens faith in Nigeria’s federal structure.
Reduction in Ethno-political Tensions: Separating the homogeneous Igala/Bassa bloc into their own state would reduce internal competition and conflicts within the current multi-ethnic Kogi State framework.
Improved Governance: A smaller, more culturally cohesive state will enable tailored policies, faster decision-making, and closer engagement between citizens and government.
Increased Civic Participation: With a government rooted in the local identity, voter turnout, political engagement, and citizen oversight of governance are likely to improve significantly.
National Integration: Okura State’s creation would contribute to national unity by affirming that every group—regardless of religion or ethnicity—has a legitimate pathway to self-determination within Nigeria’s constitutional framework.
Conclusion:
The quest for Okura State is just, equitable, and overdue. It is anchored on:
Historical independence of the Igala/Bassa people.
Population and administrative viability.
A clear constitutional path through restored local governments.
Socio-economic needs of a growing, youthful, and vibrant population.
Failure to heed the call denies over 3 million Nigerians the opportunity to grow under a government closer to their aspirations, culture, and economic identity.