Palpable tension has gripped the people of Eastern part of Kogi State following the decision of the dissolved national executive of Igala Cultural Development Association, ICDA, to hold this year’s AGM.
This was despite the directive of the Attah of Igala, HRM Ameh Michael Oboni11 that it should be suspended.
ICDA is the highest social cultural organization in Igala kingdom of Kogi State which determines the political fortunes of any individual from the region aspiring for any political office in the state.
DAILY POST gathered that there was a lingering internal wrangling between the Board of Trustee (BOT) and the National Executive Council of the ICDA, which prompted the Attah of Igala to suspend the AGM meeting slated for 1st August 2020.
In its place, the paramount ruler of Igala nation, HRM Michael Ameh Oboni endorsed a caretaker committee to resolve and steer the affairs of the association until elections are conducted.
However, it appears the crisis rocking the apex Igala Cultural Development Association has political undertones.
DAILY POST findings revealed that in defiance of the Royal majesty’s order that the scheduled AGM of the dissolved Sediq Amodu NEC and BoT of ICDA be suspended, they went ahead to hold it, disrespecting the royal order. The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Chief Edward David Onoja anda handful of some of his core loyalists were in attendance.
It was further learnt that desperate to go ahead with their program, as scheduled, the dissolved Sediq led ICDA executive, came up with a statement purported to have emanated from Attah Igala to counter the earlier order.
The said circular favourably disposed to the dissolved NEC, allegedly had a forged signature of the secretary Igala Area Traditional Council, claiming to have been written on behalf of the Attah of Igala, that his earlier letter which announced the suspension of this year’s AGM which took place on 1st August, 2020 has been set aside.
DAILY POST gathered that, prior to the said AGM, two letters went viral on social media. One dissolving the executive and suspending the AGM, while the other refuted the previous claims which were allegedly endorsed by the secretary Igala Area Traditional Council, Yunusa Idachaba on behalf of the Royal Majesty.
For instance, in the letters at the disposal of DAILY POST on Friday, with reference number 116 236/VOL IV/15 reads: DISSOLUTION OF NEC AND BOT OF IGALA CULTURAL AND DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (ICDA), it stated that:
“I am directed by His Royal Majesty the Attah, Dr. Michael Idakwo Ameh Obon, to normal stakeholders that he has noted with concern, recent events in the foremost Igala Socio Cultural Organization, 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 Igala Kingdom. Now a virus scraping into the organization
“The Paramount Ruler particularly notes the wrangling between the ICDA, NEC and BOT over the proposed hosting of an Annual General Meeting (AGM) and grant of Honour Awards to some prominent Igala sons and daughters.
“Based on the foregoing, His Royal Majesty has further directed that both the NEC and BOT members currently serving in the Association are hereby dissolved for peace to reign.
“Similarly, he has also directed postponement of the proposed AGM till further notice. His Royal Majesty has therefore endorsed constitution of a Caretaker Committee to run the affairs of the ICDA in the interim.
“Finally, he expressed his desire to see a united and progressive Association that will contribute to the unity and development of Igala Kingdom, Kogi State and Nigeria in general. Signed YUNUSA O IDACHABA SECRETARY”.
Shortly, on the contrary, another letter with reference number ITC/236/VOL IV/14 which was purportedly signed by the same Igala Area Traditional Council secretary but whose name was captured as YUNUSA D.IDACHABA which also reads: RE-DISSOLUTION OF NEC AND BOT OF IGALA CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION, ICDA surfaced.
“I am directed by His Royal majesty, the Ata-Igala.DR.MICHAEL IDAKWO AMEH OBONI I1 to debunk the unaddressed purported (fake) letter ref. ITC/236/VOL IV/15 in circulation on social media on the above subject matter.
“His majesty states that such is the handiwork of mischief makers with a view to fan the embers of discord and disunity in the land. Consequently. His Royal Majesty endorsed and pass a vote of confidence on the SEDIQ lead NEC and also endorsed the AGM/ AWARD to deserving Igala sons and Daughters, schedule to hold this Saturday 1stAug, 2020. Gabaidu opined that he is conscious of the constitution of ICDA ,hence he won’t do otherwise. Finally, Gabaidu wish ICDA a successful AGM.YUNUSA D.IDACHABA”.
DAILY POST investigation, however, revealed that the HRM Michael Ameh Oboni did not approve the AGM of ICDA’s meeting that was held on 1st August.
This was confirmed in a rejoinder issued by the Igala Area Traditional Council dated Wednesday August 4 and signed by the secretary to the Igala traditional council, Sunday Ojodale Ichaba and made available to journalists in Lokoja.
The statement which was tagged: “RE: DISSOLUTION OF NEC AND BOT OF IGALA CULTURAL AND DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (ICDA)” said:
“I am directed by His Royal Majesty, the Attah Igala and Chairman Igala Area Traditional Council to refer to our letter No. ITC/236/VOL.I15 dated 31* July, 2020 on the above subject matter and to inform all the stakeholders of the lgala Cultural and Development Association (ICDA)
“That the letter under reference was the fatherly decision of His Royal Majesty, the Attah Igala as the Grand Patron of the Igala Cultural and Development Association (ICDA) having noticed some wrangling between the NEC and the BoT of the Association for peace io reign.
“That there has not been any counter directives to that effect from the office of His Royal Majesty, the Attah Igala.
“That it is obvious and very nefarious attitude of some group of scammers to have forged and sent a counter decision of His Royal Majesty, the Attah Igala.
“That while our letter has a page No 15, theirs has 14 and the Secretary, Igala Area Traditional Council’s name is YUNUSA OJODALE (O) IDACHABA and theirs was Yunusa D. Idachaba. What a contradiction? Why are these groups so desperate?
“Thạt in official communication a letter with page No. 14 cannot counter the letter with page No, 15. These groups of imbecile did not know that letter with page No 14 cannot counter letter with page No 15.
“Finally, that in view of the foregoing, His Royal Majesty directed that the stakeholders of Igala Cultural and Development Association and the general public should disregard this forged letter and remain calm to allow the raising dust settle for an amicable settlement of the differences in the association”.
However, it was noted that in the said held AGM in defiance to the Royal order, all the chiefs in the nine local government area in the nation, local government chairmen in each of the council, legislators in the state House of assembly and many commissioners and those that matters in the kingdom kept their distance from the program as ordered by the custodian of culture and traditions of Igala nation, HRM, Idakwo Micheal Ameh Oboni II.
