Mr President, Igala deserves a better deal

It is our intention to bring to your attention the deplorable state of the Igala people in contemporary Nigeria. Some of the issues we highlight may be known to you, some may not. Igala has no representation in the Federal Executive Council, which is the body responsible for putting together and executing federal policies, including […]

It is our intention to bring to your attention the deplorable state of the Igala people in contemporary Nigeria. Some of the issues we highlight may be known to you, some may not.

Igala has no representation in the Federal Executive Council, which is the body responsible for putting together and executing federal policies, including allocation of federal projects. By every conceivable criterion used to determine membership of the 41 member council, the 9th largest ethnic group in Nigeria surely deserves to have at least a seat at the table.

Igala has no single person in the position of a permanent secretary or its equivalent in the federal civil service. Again by every conceivable metric used in the appointments of top level administrative appointments, lgala deserves a seat at the table.

Igala has nobody heading any of the diplomatic missions as Ambassador. Ambassadors are supposed to be a blend of professional or career officers and political officers. To say that an ethnic group whose population is well over 3 million does not have any body qualified to be appointed to any of the over 80 ambassadorial positions either by professional criteria or by political considerations is difficult to justify.

Igala is not represented In the National Working Committee of the ruling People’s Democratic

Party (PDP), even though the party is voted for massively by the Igala people at every election.

There is no Igala person that heads any of the Committees in the National Assembly.

In the last 15 years, no major federal project has been executed in Kogi East Senatorial District even though hundreds of projects are executed’ annually by the Federal Government in various parts of the country.

No single manufacturing industry is located in Kogi East Senatorial District, including agro based industry, even though Kogi East is one of the major agricultural regions in the country.

No Igala person occupies any key position in the armed forces, including the police.

The only federal institutions located in Kogi East Senatorial Districts (Federal Polytechnic Idah, Federal Government College Ugwolawo) were built in 1970s.

Not a single dual carriage way runs through Kogi East Senatorial District even though most people going to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), from the Eastern part of the country drive through Kogi East.

The last time any new federal highway was constructed in Kogi East Senatorial District was about 20 years ago when the military was still in power.

Since the beginning of the current democratic experiment, Kogi East has consistently voted massively for the ruling party. Thus, the Igala speaking people expect better treatment than what they have got so far. It is difficult to belief that a major ethnic group the size of Igala can be so ignored for such a long time in terms of national representation and provision of basic facilities.

Ukomu Igala intends to seek audience with your office to discuss concrete proposals to begin to immediately address some of the issues highlighted above. As a democrat, we know you take genuine grievances and requests of any segment of the Nigerian space seriously. We therefore look forward to you opening dialogue with Ukomu Igala to begin addressing the issues highlighted above and much more.

Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Long live the Igala Kingdom!

Long live Ukomu Igala Organization!

Dr Michael A. Idachaba, Interim CO-Chairman, Ukomu Igala Organization