Kingmakers urge Governor Ododo to intervene in Igah Chiefdom’s chief selection to prevent a crisis
The kingmakers of Igah Chiefdom, Ugbamaka in Olamaboro LGA of Kogi State, have appealed to Governor Usman Ododo to intervene swiftly to prevent a potential breakdown of law and order amid disputes over the selection of the next Aidokanya Ejeh.
This, the Kingmakers says the ongoing tensions in traditional succession processes in the area, prompted calls for government intervention to uphold peace and respect customary procedures.
Governor Ododo has been urged to use his influence to maintain unity and peace among diverse communities, emphasizing the importance of traditional rulers in fostering stability.
The appeal, investigation revealed, is necessitated by the palpable tension that is already brewing up in the Chiefdom following alleged attempt to usurp the traditional arrangements that ought to have allow the Ama Akoh family of Omoko clan to nominate their candidate as the Aidokanya Ejeh, Igah Chiefdom of Olamaboro LGA.
The tension that is heightened on daily basis followed rumoured plans to foist, through the backdoor and without following the tradition for the appointment of the Aidokanya Ejeh of Igah Chiefdom, Ugbamaka, Olamaboro and against the State Government gazette that disallow a son from taking over the traditional stool of his father.
Already there is a strong indication that point to the fact that any attempt to announce Shaibu Sarkin Alih, son to the immediate past Aidokanya, as Aidokanya Ejeh Olamaboro, will pose grave consequences for the peaceful coexistence amongst the people.
It is also to be recalled that in a letter of recommendation to HRH, the Ejeh of Olamaboro, in Council dated 5/2/24, submitted by the Ama Akoh Descendants Association, after a meeting of the family body held on 30th December, 2023, recommended Idris Omonu Yakubu, as the heir apparent to the throne of Aidokanya Ejeh of Igah Chiefdom, pointing out that he has impeccable character, considerable, intellectual and exemplary accomplishment and performances to be appointed as the Aidokanya Ejeh of Igah, Olamaboro LGA.
The Ama Akoh Descendants Association had in a statement of claim for the stool of Aidokanya Ejeh, Igah of Olamaboro, dated 17/2/24 to the Secretary, Committee on Succession to the Stool of Aidokanya Ejeh Olamaboro, head by the OJIBO IGAH, (the Igah paramount ruler), claimed rightful ownership of the Aidokanya Ejeh Olamaboro of Igah Chiefdom, Ugbamaka Igah.
Upon the petition to the Ministry of Chieftancy Affairs, it would be recalled, had on two occasion engaged with the contending parties to the stool, an action that led to the withdrawal of earlier letters of appointment erroneously issued to Shaibu Sarki Alih and one Yusuf Ameh respectively.
It is worthy of note that there has been several protests letters, following the death of HRH. Late Chief Alih Okwoli, of effort to forestall a break down of peace in the Community as a result of plan to truncate existing traditional arrangement and the efforts to jettison the recommendations made by the Committee on Succession to the Stool of Aidokanya Ejeh Olamaboro stool as constituted by the Ejeh and Chairman, Olamaboro Traditional Council.
According to people of Igah Community and their traditional rulers, upon the vacancy to the stool of the Aidokanya Ejeh of Olamaboro sometimes in July 2023, an attempt was made by the Ejeh Olamaboro, HRH. Simeon Sani Ujah to bead/coronate Mr. Shaibu Sarki Alih on 7th February, 2024 in place of his late father, the immediate past Aidokanya Ejeh of Olamaboro Chiefdom.
The decision of the Ejeh of Olamaboro decision was met with a brick wall, leading to withdrawal letter to the earlier mentioned persons.
This led to the setting up of a committee on 7th February, 2024 to look into the issues surrounding the candidature for the vacant stool of Aidokanya Ejeh of Igah Chiefdom in Ugbamaka Iaah.
The Community is however expressing worry and calling on Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo that there are still sinister plans by some persons in his administration misled by former Senator Atai Aidoko, who is alleged to be dropping the names of former Gov Yahaya Bello, wanting to alter the traditional process to the attainment of the stool of the Aidokanya Ejeh of Olamaboro, that no matter the protest, he will foist his preferred candidate.
The Community is however not swayed by the name dropping of the former Governor knowing fully well that as a man of peace, former Gov Bello would not distort the traditional arrangement of the Igah Kingdom.
While the Aidokanya Ejeh Olamaboro stool is becoming a tough nut to crack, it is important to add that following the submission of claims, by families claiming right to the stool, to the Committee, it was resolved that the family that was personally compensated with the stool at the beginning should
be given the opportunity of the enjoyment of the stool for now.
While it is in public domain that the widely acknowledged and accepted committee’s recommendation by the Committee set up by the Ministry, is about to be truncated truncated by Ejeh, HRH. Simeon Sani Ujah and those claiming to close to the powers that be, even though it got the majority support of majority members of the committee, as it was the truth and having met with the yearning and aspirations of the citizens.
Similarly, the threatened peaceful coexistence steering in the face of the people of Igah Royal throne and traditional Council stems from the fact that the State Government gazette does not permit the inheritance/transition of traditional stool from the immediate father to his son in Igah Kingdom.
It is therefore in the interest of Justice and peaceful coexistence amongst the Igah people and Olamaboro LGA in general, that the Igah people are appealing to Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo to nip in the bud the planned selfish interest that is about to be foisted on the Community in the appointment of Shaibu Sarki Alih as Aidokanya Ejeh of Olamaboro.
The Community notes with emphasis that such selfish and personal actions will cause disharmony, chaos and breakdown of law and order within the community of Igah and it environs.
The Community and leadership of Igah Community having rejected the planned imposition, insist not to recognize any appointment made that is not without the traditional Kingmakers of the Igah, added that the State Government has also before now gazatted against a son taking over traditional stool from his own father.
Recalled that HRH. Late Chief Alih Okwoli passed on sometimes in July, 2023, (after reigning for 17 years) there has been underground clandestine moves to install another Aidokanya Ejeh of Olamaboro that did not follow the tradition for the appointment.
The Ama Akoh Descendants Association has at different times, following noticed infractions, petitioned the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, His Royal Majesty, the Attah Igala/Chairman, Igala Area Traditional Council and Copied His Royal Highness, The Ejeh of Olamaboro, and another to the Secretary, Committee on Succession to the Stool of Aidokanya Ejeh Olamaboro amongst other organs of authority on the need for justice and the need to maintain the peaceful coexistence amongst the people.
The appeal has become necessary as investigation revealed that a stitch in time is required to save the peace and tranquility existing in Igah Kingdom.
