'The last election was a political exercise, not an ethnic battle'

The Igala people of Kogi State have been told to see the just concluded governorship election as a mere political exercise and not a supremacy battle between tribes in the state.

The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Chief Edward Onoja gave this charge today when he visited the palace of the Attah of Igala, HRM, Dr. Michael Ameh Oboni II in Idah to show his certificate of return as issued by INEC and to also seek the blessing of the traditional institution.

Onoja who was received in the palace of the Attah by a joyous crowd admonished the people of Igala land not to feel downcast by those who spread the erroneous assumption that the Ebiras have defeated the Igalas through the outcome of the last election, said the election was between the APC and the PDP and not Ebira against Igala.

“It was an election, and in this context, it was a battle between political parties. So when they tell you that Ebira defeated Igala, tell them that it’s a lie; APC with the majority of support defeated PDP.

“I am the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, an Igala and a member of the APC. There are several Igala sons and daughters who are also members of the APC and occupy exalted positions in this government; we have at our individual and collective stands influenced developmental projects to Igala land”.

Onoja said Governor Yahaya Bello has tremendous love for the Igala people and have demonstrated it through his focused attention on moving the region from the underdevelopment which has plagued it for long.

He said the Project Power Kogi East, the Idah – Aganabode bridge, construction of several major roads in Igala land, especially the one leading to Idah, the traditional headquarters of the Igala Kingdom, the upgrading of traditional rulers, unbaning of Ocho festival among others were borne out of the desire of the governor to institute both human and infrastructural developments in the region.

The Deputy Governor while thanking the people of Kogi East for their support all through the electioneering assured that the victory of Governor Bello is a victory for development, and promised that just like the first term, Governor Yahaya Bello will not dissapoint the Igala people in achieving peace, security, unity and development which were the core needs of the people.

He called for a minute silence for those who lost their lives before, during and after the election, including the PDP women leader in Ochadamu, and informed that the governor has commissioned the security agencies to go after the culprits and bring them to justice.

On his part, the Attah of Igala, HRM, Dr. Idakwo Michael Ameh Oboni II, appreciated the deputy governor for his humility and sense of responsibility.

He described Onoja as a worthy Igala son whose paramount goal is the development of Igala land, and thanked him for the sacrifices he is making to ensure that the kingdom assumes its rightful place in development.

Dr. Idakwo said the turning point in Igala land was when they shunned all tribal sentiments and insisted on competence, saying the people were able to identify those who didn’t mean well for the land and united behind Edward Onoja and his friend Yahaya Bello for the good of all.

The mornach who later offered some words of prayer for the deputy governor called on the people to continue in their support for the government, assuring that the traditional institution will continue to cooperate with the government in attracting the needed development to the land.