Attah Igala, Prince Matthew Alaji Opaluwa Ogwuche
Group lauds Prince Opaluwa’s appointment as Attah Igala
A group, Ukomu Igala, has applauded the appointment of a substantive Attah Igala in the person of Prince Matthew Alhaji Opaluwa.
Ukomu Igala organization, which is the apex Voice of Igala Kingdom, said the appointment announced by Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, signified a new dawn in Igala kingdom.
In a statement issued on Thursday signed by the group’s National Leader, David Abutu and National Secretary, Dr Sabastine Seidu, and made available to newsmen, the sociocultural organization said the appointment has lifted the spirit of Igala sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora, adding that it has brought the kingdom to life again.
It would be recalled that the stool of Attah Igala became vacant since 2020 as a result of the demise of His Royal Highness, the late Michael Idakwo Ane-Oboni II, who according to Igala culture and traditions merely “went on hunting and will return only when a replacement is found.”
According to the organization, with the appointment of Prince Opaluwa, the Attah Igala has returned from hunting to the delight of Igala people.
The statement noted with delight the seriousness the kingmakers, the Igala Traditional Council and the Kogi state government attached to the processes that culminated in the choice of Prince Opaluwa, as well as the importance and significance the stakeholders accorded the highly Reverend stool of Attah Igala in Kogi State and in the entire Middle-Belt and Nigeria at large.
The group expressed its gratitude to Governor Yahaya Bello for his regard for the vacant throne and for desisting from politicizing the selection processes, a posture that proved that the governor is a defender and promoter of the sanctity of the traditional institution in the state.
The organization further said that the selection processes, though lingered due to vested interests from the various lineages and heirs to the throne, the outcome of the process has produced one of the best candidates from the contestants.
It congratulated the new Attah Igala-designate, on his well-deserved appointment, adding that Igala kingdom needed a person of his comportment, exposure, clout and experience on the royal throne of his ancestors, at this point in time.
It urged the Ata Igala-designate to ensure that all contending forces to the throne were reconciled in the interest of peace and progress of Igala kingdom.
Ukomu Igala also expressed optimism that the selection of Prince Opaluwa would speed up the process of peace, unity, reconciliation and progress of Igala land.
It urged those that may have been aggrieved among the royal bloodline to sheath their swords and work towards a successful coronation of the new Ata Igala.
UIO called on all Igala sons and daughters all over the world to ensure that all hands were on deck for an eventful coronation and peaceful reign of the new royal father.
The also called on the state government and all those responsible for the coronation to start the process without delay.
It assured the Ata Igala-designate of its full and undiluted support, at all times, in the interest of the progress of Igala land.
