Folllowing the demise of Attah Igala Ameh Oboni, on the month of August 2020,the Kingmakers of Igala comprising of Etemahi Igalamela, Agbenyo, Onu biogbo, Onede, Aleji, Okweje, Achadu Kekele Ukwaja, Ananya Attah, and Achanya Attah set out to nominate and appoint a new Attah Igala from the descendant of the male line of the Ayegba Oma'Idoko who are members of the four ruling houses of Igala,namely, Aju Ame Acho, Aju Akoju, Aju Akwu and Aju Ocholi ruling houses respectively in accordance with the IGALA AREA TRADITIONAL COUNCIL (Modification of Native Law & Custom)Order 2015, which regulates the selection and ascension to the stool of the Attah Igala. The final Stage reached a cresendo on Thursday, the 19th day of November, 2020 after weeks of delibration and nomination of the rightful heir to the exalted stool of the Attah Igala for the emergence of a new Attah Igala with the nomination of a former Manager of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prince Samuel Opaluwa by the AjuAmeachor Ruling House as the preferred candidate to occupy the Attah's stool.
The Stakeholders of AjuAmeachor, which is due to produce the next Attah Igala in accordance with the Kogi State Chieftaincy law and the Igala Native Customs, on Thursday met in Idah and announced that it had unanimously chosen Prince Samuel Opaluwa as the family’s candidate for the exalted throne.
The meeting, which was convened by the Head of the AjuAmeachor Ruling House, Prince Jacob Yahaya Etu, a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, as required by the Kogi State Chieftaincy law, screened, and considered three main candidates who had indicated interest in the Attah's stool.The other two candidates include Matthew Alhaji Opaluwa, a Director with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Ocholi Opaluwa a high ranking Customs Officer.
Etu, while addressing the stakeholders of the clan on Thursday, said the family had unanimously agreed that Samuel Opaluwa being the eldest among the sons of Opaluwa Oguche, a one time Attah Igala designate who indicated interest be nominated and presented to the other ruling houses as the AjuAmeachor rightful choice for the exalted position.With the said nomination, of Prince Samuel Opaluwa ,the Igala Area Traditional Council is now legally obliged to forward, the name of the nominee to the State Council of Chiefs who in turn is constitionally mandated to forward same to the Governor in Council, in this context, the Executive Governor of Kogistate for approval.
The Governor is equally legally required to approve such nomination , on grounds that the nominee so chosen is not:,
(a) Suffering from serious Legal infirmity.
(b ) Under anylaw I force in Nigeria found or declared to be a lunatic or of unsound mind:,
(c) at the material time of his nomination be sentenced to death.
i. convicted for a capital offence.
ii. convicted for offence involving dishonesty and sentenced to imprisonment thereof and:,
iii in each as not been granted pardon.
(d) he is not of Good Character.
The above as stated is provided in Order 12 of the kogi State of Nigeria IGALA AREA TRADITIONAL COUNCIL (Modification of Native Law & Custom)Order 2015, respectively. It must be pointed out importantly that, Order 14 of the said Law provides that a Nominee's Religion shall not be a deciding factor in the process of the nomination and appointment to the exalted throne of Attah of Igala.
It is my humble and candid position that Prince Samuel Opaluwa whose excellent reputation and unflinching status have distinctly surpassed all the grounds stated in ORDER 12 of the IGALA AREA TRADITIONAL COUNCIL (Modification of Native Law & Custom)Order 2015, as earlier stated in this Article and having maintained an enviable reputation worth of emulation as an honourable son of Igala Land, the Governor-in Council as no discretion in the matter but approve is nomination as the next Attah Igala in line with the IGALA AREA TRADITIONAL COUNCIL (Modification of Native Law & Custom)Order 2015 ,when finally the Igala Traditional Council submits such nomination to the State Council of Chiefs who then in turn forward same to the
Governor for final approval.
Umoru Theophilus Iko-Ojo Esq ,hails from Igalamela Odolu Local Government in Kogistate,.
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