Following the governorship primary election conducted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, where Ahmed Usman-Ododo, the anointed candidate of the incumbent governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello emerged as the November 11th governorship candidate of the part, the “IGALA” tribe has been trending on Twitter this week after losing the Gubernatorial candidacy seat of the two major parties, PDP and APC, to another minority tribe in Kogi State. This has since become a circumstance that is generating a lot of debate.
Some have suggested that if the Labour Party distributes its Governorship candidate ticket to a strong Igala man, the approaching Kogi State Governorship Election in November will be a work-over for the LP party.
Dino Melaye of Kogi West wins the Kogi PDP governorship primary, while Usman Ododo of Kogi Central emerges as the Kogi APC governorship candidate, and a legal practitioner, Barrister Adejo Okeme of Kogi East obtains the Kogi State Labour Party governorship ticket.
The Igala are a significant ethnic group in Kogi State, Nigeria. In this article, we highlight some of the reasons why the Igala are considered as very politically noteworthy in Kogi State:
1. Political Power
The Igala people constitute the majority of the population of Kogi East Senatorial District, one of Kogi State’s three senatorial districts. This means they wield enormous political power in the state.
2. Economic Contributions
The Igala people engage in a variety of economic activities, including farming, fishing, and commerce. They also have a rich cultural heritage, which draws tourists to the state and contributes to the state’s economy.
3. Educational Advancement
The Igala people are known for their passionforeducation and have a high literacy rate. They have produced a number of well-known scholars, professionals, and leaders in Nigeria and elsewhere.
4. Cultural Importance
The Igala people have a rich cultural legacy that includes distinctive traditional rituals and festivals such as theIbegwufestival, which celebrates the fresh yam harvest. Their traditional music and dance are equally well known.
5. solidarity
The Igala are well-known for their strong sense of community and solidarity. This has aided in the promotion of peace and development inKogiState.
In conclusion, the Igala people are significant in Kogi State due to their political clout, economic contributions, educational advancement, cultural relevance, and a strong sense of unity.