There is a raging controversy in Kogi state over a court judgment issued by the high court in Lokoja, Kogi state which claimed that Lokoja, Ajaokuta and Koton Karfi Local government areas should be traditionally under the Igala King and all its traditional rulers ought to be accountable to the King. The current Atta of Igala Ameh Oboni II had filed the case in 2017 seeking to reclaim some lands belonging to the Igala kingdom that was taken away by the Nigerian government.
The Igalas occupy 9 local governments in Kogi state including Dekina which is considered the largest local government in the state. The news was greeted with mixed feelings by other tribes in the state especially those from the central senatorial district that produced the current governor of the state Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
The additional three local governments have given the Igalas an overwhelming majority in the state and that might have some political implication that can result in a crisis.
The status of these local governments has remained controversial for many years and the battle of ownership may have just begun because people who are dissatisfied with the judgment are planning to appeal it at the appellate court.
