Attah Igala: Conspiracy of silence, criticisms trail appointment of Mathew Alaji Opaluwa

By Gabriel B. Agbonika

It was an uneasy calm in Lokoja on Monday when the Commissioner of Kogi State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Mr. Ozig Mohammed Deedat, announced, Mr. Mathew Opaluwa as the new Attah Igala in Central Zone of Nigeria.

This is coming at about one year and two months after the demise of the former Attah Igala, Micheal Idakwo Ameh-Oboni II.

The Kogi State Commissioner for Local. Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Hon. Ozig Moh. Deedat who announced this on Monday in Lokoja after the State Exco Meeting presided over by Governor Yahaya Bello foreclosed all the speculations and anxieties surrounding the emergence of a new Attah Igala in Kogi State.

The selection of Mathew Opaluwa, which has been shrouded in controversies over the past nine months is being recieved with a conspiracy of silence and bitter feelings amongst Igala people of the State.

Those who chose to remain silence when contacted did so out of sheer frustration and fear of victimization. Others who spoke out their minds believe strongly that the issue is far from being over. Yet a few others hold the opinion that the matter should be put to rest in order to ensure peace in Igala land irrespective of apparent grievances.

A member of the rulling family, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Jacob Yahaya Etu (rtd) expressed sadness over the imposition of Mathew Opaluwa on the throne against the wishes and interest of family members and Igala people at large. He believes strongly that the “new Attah Igala” allowed himself to be used by external forces through corrupt methods to distabilize the peace and harmony of the ruling family.

The retired Police Officer, as one of the eldest family who chaired the family selection process, said that they are disappointed and unhappy over the latest development. In his words, “it is not easy for us to overlook the great injustice being done to our traditional institution and the rule of law regarding the selection process of Attah Igala. This injustice is not only to the rulling family but to Igala people as a whole who have been waiting patiently since the beginning of the year for the right thing to be done”.

He said that for some of them who have strong trust in God, “it is easy to leave everything for his final solutions, but what becomes of the serious violation of the selection rules and laws of the land? Does it mean we should continue to ignore what the law provides for the selection proces?

“To me, I sympathize with those who deliberately set out to ignore the spiritual power of God’s intervention on any issue. Those who have conspired to inflict injustice on helpless individuals will surely live to witness the anger of God.”

“However, the family elder appealed to his fellow family members, who went through a strenuous process to select a “candidate” and the Igala people at large who are being insulted by this dangerous show of arrogance of power from a few individuals, to remain calm and law abiding. In his words, ” all power belongs to God which will manifest his greatness at the appropriate time”.

In his reaction, a traditional title holder in Igala tradition Council, Air-vice-Marshal Saliu Atawodi (rtd), said that it was an unfortunate situation that outsiders can impose an Attah Igala on the people without regards to the selection process.

According to him, “I am sad to realize that a candidate chosen by family members, and who is qualified and recommended for the position of Attah Igala, was sidelined and replaced by someone who did not go through the selection process.

All the rules and laws guiding the selection process are there for everyone to see and follow. Yet the process have been violated by those who believe they have the powers to impose anybody they like on the people. To me the court is there to give back to the person that was selected.

We are in a democracy and the rule must be obeyed. It is an abuse of power and therefore the right person has the freedom to seek redress in the court since the rights have been violated. This is blackmail and intimidation which people should not succumb to from any quarter”.

Meanwhile the President of Igala Cultural Organisation, Comrade Omata has urged the ruling family members and Igala people in general to allow peace to reign in Igala land by remaining calm and peaceful. According to him, people should rally round the new appointed Attah Igala to succeed whatever the circumstances and controversies surrounding his election to the throne.

“I appeal to the family members who might have some grievances against his appointment to close ranks and give him the necessary support he needs to succeed. Let the spirit of our ancestors lead and provide him with the wisdom to perform his traditional responsibility for Igala land.