From Babatunde Rahman, Lokoja.
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has sent a strong warning to the Attah Igala, HRM, Micheal Ameh Oboni over tension generated by the recent Federal High Court judgment that ‘recognized’ Ajaokuta, Lokoja and Kogi council area as part of Igalaland.
The case was filed by the present Attah.
News Hub Mag! reports that a federal high court had last week said the lands in the aforementioned LGAs belongs to Igalaland following a 1841 business relationship between the colonial master and the then Attah.
The court also awarded N10b cost in favour of the Attah.
The court pronouncement has generated serious tension in the state with an underlying possibility of snowballing into an ethnic war.
Speaking on Friday at a state broadcast, governor Bello said such cases as instituted by the Attah has no basis in the modern world, said it amount to fresh imperialisma that belong to the pre-colonial era of the country.
“During the week, I heard about a court pronouncement instituted by one traditional ruler that Lokoja, Ajaokuta and Kotonkarfe belongs to the Igala kingdom. I urged all the people in those communities to remain calm over the court pronouncement.
“The people should seek legal redress about the judgment.
“But let me state categorically that my administration abhors ethnic segregation, tribalism and sectionalism. Imperialism has no place in the modern world.
“We have created a state that will give equal opportunity to every citizens of the state. Any act of imperialism will meet stiff opposition from us and will be resisted vehemently.
“Any proclamation or court cases that does not foster unity and cohesion in the state will not be tolerated. Any idea of division will not be taken. We cannot afford to divide ourselves in Kogi state.
“We are all witness to the killing of George Floyd in America by a white police officer and how the whole world is responding to it.
“Anybody, no matter how highly placed you may be, or lowly you placed yourself, that will sell the ember of disunity will be dealt with. Nobody should test my will.”
