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Igala Kingdom judgement: How I spent 30 years assembling documents tendered in Court – Dr. Ahmadu Ali
The former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Dr. Ahmadu Ali Adah has revealed that it took him 30 years to assemble documents that were tendered in evidence in court that delivered judgement in favour of Igala Kingdom’s ownership of Ajaokuta, Lokoja and Koton Karfe.
Ali, who is a traditional title holder as Ochada Attah Igala ruled out any contestation of the affected areas other than Igala Kingdom, saying that the Attah Igala exercised jurisdiction over those areas up to the present day Southern Kaduna.
He said the Igala Kingdom was so powerful at the time, but was balkanised at a later time that pave way for settlers.
According to him, the visiting Europeans into what is today known as Niger area sought the Attah Igala consent to abode, a situation that gave rise to agreement which they couldn’t fulfill.
“The Attah institution was so powerful at the early stage, according to available records, the Attah Igala was controlling up to Southern Kaduna.
“During the Quororofo era, Quororofo is what is now known as Quararafa, the corrupt version of the original group name.
“The balkanization that led to the ceding of many lands to several settlers was inevitable.
The intention was to usher in development and grant people some measure of autonomy.
“This was actually a big leverage for the small new ethnic groups that have no kingdom.
This is was civilisation is all about, to give people peace and freedom to live freely.
“At the early stage, the Jukuns were the major dominant of the entire hemisphere before the Othman Danfodio led rebellion and later made the place the Othman Empire.
“All the villages both side of the River Nigerr down to Onitsha and to Baro were initially established by the Igala people.
“The Igala are scattered every along the North Central zone.
“Some are in Plateau, some in Nasarawa, Benue, Anambara, Delta, Edo, Kwara and Niger state respectively, it is not possible to claim all these areas now.
In an exclusive interview with CAPITAL POST in Abuja, the retired General explained that the Uthman Danfodio troops attempted to overrun Igala Kingdom, but suffered heavy casualties which made them to beat a retreat.
He said the modern day ‘Koton Karfe’ was a corrupt lingual pronouncement of ‘Akpoto Karfi’ by the Uthman Danfodio soldiers after they were defeated by the Attah warriors.
“The ownership of Ajaokuta, Lokoja and Koton Karfe is not in doubt. The facts and documents are available, because it is a recent matter.
“The name Koton Karfi originated from the Othman war. The Othman soldiers in their attempt to overrun the Atta Kingdom suffered seriously in the hands of the Igala warriors.
“The Attah fighters were using ordinary raw energy to beat and strangulate them and the few survival ran back and told their people back home that those Akpoto suna de Karfi, meaning those people are powerful.
“If not, the area ownership is never in contest. Thiis not an issue of land dispute. It is just to put the record straight, but not that anybody will be driven or made to lose their economic and political rights.
We are brothers and one extended family in Kogi state. Everyone who is a Kogite is from Attah, who is not only the Chairman of Igala Traditional Council, but the entire state is under his control traditionally.
“Tell the chief that is disagreeing with the Attah as the Chairman Kogi State Traditional Council. The Igu people should feel free and continue to live in peace with their Igala w. Same with Okoro people, others in Lokoja and the entire people of Ajaokuta that
there is nothing to fear at all, we are all one large family”, Ali maintained.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has extended his heartfelt felicitation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 73rd birthday.
Governor Ododo in statement signed by his special adviser on media, Ismaila Isah described President Tinubu as a statesman whose leadership and dedication to national development continue to inspire hope and progress across Nigeria.
He commended the President’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is driving economic reforms, strengthening national unity, and advancing the nation’s democratic values.
“On behalf of the government and people of Kogi State, I celebrate Mr President and our father on this special day. Your resilience, visionary leadership, and patriotism have laid a strong foundation for Nigeria’s growth. We deeply appreciate your tireless efforts in repositioning our country for sustainable development,” Governor Ododo stated.
He further reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s administration and prayed for continued wisdom, strength, and good health for the President as he leads Nigeria toward greater prosperity, sustainable development, peace and stability.
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