Permit me to begin in rhetoric thus: “If a state is created for the inhabitants of a defined territory, is it fair for a particular people to classify themselves as first class citizens, and regard others as the non-matter second class people?” Remember, the reason for such classification is not on the basis of technological advantage or scientific superiority, but on the mere natural population.
Where the rights of people are trampled upon without qualms, it is foolhardy of the people suffering such a treatment not a revolt. The absence of egalitarianism in any society can never guarantee peace. Every ethnic group should be given due recognition and position. Where there is no fair treatment and equitable distribution of the national cake, there should be no sustenance of the artificial amalgamation. There should be revocation of the contract to be together in one state. Yes, the marriage was broken down irretrievably; hence there is no alternative to divorce.
When Benue was carved out of the old Benue-Plateau state in 1976, Igede was no less a prominent ethnic group. Before the creation of Kogi state out of the present Benue and Kwara states, Igede was producing a commissioner, two members in the House of Assembly, one member in the House of Representatives, and an Ambassador.
Alas, a State was carved out of Benue state, which led to the movement of Igala, Bassa Komo and Bassa Nge to the new state, yet instead of Igede to graduate to the next level like other ethnic groups, it is retrogressing. It is awful that Igede is not even maintaining the status quo, as it is no longer being considered for ambassadorial appointment. We are virtually robbed of all available opportunities.
The truth is that Igede is too big not to produce a senator in the Nigerian state. Igede is too big to be lumped into only two local government councils. A state for the Igede is the only sine qua non to address the present marginalization.
We are humans with feelings and with desires for unrestricted freedom. The mistreatment and discrimination being meted out to us without a slightest compunction could lead to a war or an uprising in some other land. In our own case we are going to tread the path of peace until our goals are achieved. Our contract with the so-called majority ethnic groups to have and live together in one state has been revoked by these people, so let us not see ourselves as Benue people any more. Only fools tolerate ethnic chauvinism.
Indeed, Igede is under political slavery. And this is affecting our economic and social lives. Not even under the colonial masters was such mistreatment ever meted out to a people in the black world. Today, Igede has lost her culture, values and norms to the neocolonialism.
Neocolonialism is worse than colonialism, because under the latter, the master allowed the natives, and even encouraged them to practice their culture. The neocolonialists on the other hand do not believe in the existence of other tribes or ethnic groups.
Armed struggle or war is what the people under the neocolonialism adopt to free themselves from the masters. This fight may be disastrous, but the truth is that the people will regain their freedom, and their future generations would be better up for it.
God says man should dominate. You may say what God wants man to dominate are other creatures other than his fellow men. But, since the fall of man he does not know the difference between his fellow men and animals. Man is evil, and evil is man. To separate man and evil is to attempt to go on a pseudo-voyage of discovery. Man’s evil machination is indiscernible. He is greedy, he is bloody; he is devilish; he is…. And he is….!
We want Agba state to be carved out of the present Benue and Cross River states for the people of Igede, Yala, Obubra, Ukele etc. In this new state every ethnic group shall have the freedom to promote her culture.
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| Ijuo Okpe |
This Article was first published in the monthly Magazine, The Congress, November, 2009 edition.
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