ICDA crisis: Onoja backs Sadiq led EXCO, honours controversial AGM

The crisis rocking the Igala Cultural and Development Association (ICDA) leadership deepened Saturday as the Deputy Governor, Mr. Edward Onoja was seen backing the embattled Amodu Abubakar Sadiq led Executive which was on Friday dissolved to pave way for the Caretaker Committee that was inaugurated on Thursday to commence the administration of the Igala apex socio-cultural body.

The leadership crisis had prompted the Attah Igala, HRM Idakwo Ameh Oboni II vide a letter dated 31st July, 2020; Ref. ITC/236/VOL.IV/14 dissolved the Board of Trustees and National Executive Council of ICDA.

The letter which was signed by the Secretary to the Igala Traditional Council (ITC), Yunusa Idachaba read in part:

“I am directed by the Royal Majesty, the Attah Dr. Michael Idakwo Ameh Oboni II, to inform all stakeholders that he has noted with concern recent events in the foremost Igala socio-cultural organisation, the Igala Cultural and Development Association (ICDA) and the array of activities of the Association in recent times that fall short of the age long aspirations of the kingdom which the virus is now cripping into the organisation.

“The paramount ruler particularly notes the wrangling between the ICDA’s NEC and BOT over the proposed hosting of an Annual General Meeting (AGM), and grant of honour and awards to some prominent Igala sons and daughters.

“Based on the foregoing, His Royal Majesty has further directed that the NEC and BOT members currently serving in the Association are hereby dissolved for peace to reign.

The Attah has through the letter place an indefinite suspension of the AGM and Awards which was scheduled for Saturday at the Igala Unity House, Anyigba in Dekina Local Government Area in Kogi East Senatorial District.

However, in a dramatic twist, the Deputy governor of Kogi State, Chief Edward Onoja, though not an awardee, personally attended as a guest of honour.

Moreso, few hours to the commencement of the meeting, a letter purportedly written by the Secretary to the Igala Traditional Council alledgedly signed by Mr. Yunisa Idachaba surfaced, denouncing that the earlier one which cancelled the meeting and dissolved the BOT and NEC was fake.

However, investigations by CAPITAL POST on Saturday revealed that the letter alledgedly issued by the Palace giving nod to Saturday’s controversial AGM and Award was forged.

Sources confided in CAPITAL POST that the letter never emanated from the Attah’s palace, saying that the National.Executive Council of ICDA which have been dissolved were on their own for going ahead with the scheduled meeting.

Sadiq couldn’t be reached for further reactions, but, spoke with the paper on Friday, stating that no dissolution from any quarters would stand.

According to him, the ICDA NEC was properly constituted to operate within the ambit of the Constitution that guide it, insisting that Saturday’s AGM and Award would go ahead as planned.