The Attah of Igala seat, even if it is occupied by a 15-year old boy, is far bigger than the traditional stools of many tribes making up Kogi State, and stronger than the entire political career of Governor Yahaya Bello or any politician of Kogi State origin. Bello’s Government has been trying to be part and parcel of the choice and eventual coronation of the next Attah of Igala. The Government wants to install, as the next Attah of Igala, a malleable agent that will bend the rules guiding the seat to suit his whims and caprices. Some undercover, covetous agents working on behalf of the state government, under the strange name of Ebira People’s Association, demanded that the seat of the Chairman, Kogi State Traditional Council be rotated among the three major ethnic groups in the state. The call for the rotation of the seat by EPA is ridiculous. The office of the Chairman, Kogi State Traditional Council is exclusive to the Attah of Igala. Under no circumstance will Attah of Igala be subjected to the rulership of Ohinoyi of Ebira land or the Obaro of Kabba. It is therefore uncharitable for anyone to call for the rotation of the seat or to make it tenured which will eventually subject the Attah of Igala to the coronet of Ohinoyi of Ebira land or the Obaro of Kabba. We reject this insult in its crude ugliness. Whoever tries to change the tide, the tide that is backed by law and rule of the land, for his or her own suitability will pay a dangerous price.
It will be a costly mistake if anyone thinks he or she can subject Attah’s throne to a ridiculous child’s play. For the sake of peaceful coexistence, trust, unity and togetherness among the good people of Kogi State, Governor Yahaya Bello should not negotiate or entertain the request for the rotation of the seat with any tribal or sectional bigots under any guise. – Odih Daniel Nuhu writes from Lokoja.
