The Igala Socio-cultural Group, Igala Vanguard, has threatened ostracism against any Igala indigene that succumbed to play second fiddle in the next governorship election in Kogi State, saying such a person will be declared persona non grata in Igala land.
Addressing newsmen in Idah a leader of the group, Engr Lawrence Akpa who expressed bitterness over the continued marginalisation of the Igala in Kogi State, says it’s only in Kogi state that the largest and majority tribe is being treated as a minority, and condemned Governor Yahaya Bello for sowing seeds of discord in Igala land .
According to him, the position of Deputy Governor should be between Ebira and the People of Kogi West which comprised of Okun and Lokoja/Koto people.
The group unanimously endorsed Idoko Kingsley Ilona and Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka who are both from Idah Federal Constituency for the State’s number one seat.
Engr Akpa also criticized the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress leadership in Igala land for unable to come up with harmonized list, accused them of being afraid of Governor Bello .
The group further called on other aspirants in APC to step down in the spirit of sacrifice and unionism for Muritala Ajaka and those on the Peoples Democratic Party PDP to do the same for Idoko Kingsley Ilona, insisting that according to Igala arrangements, the next Governor should come from Idah Federal constituency.
The retired Army General, therefore, declared that the Igala of Kogi East and Bassa will no longer accept the position of deputy governor and threatened that any person who is of Igala stock that accepted such will be declared persona non grata.
