By Oyibo Salihu
Lokoja
Aluaja Development Association, and the Association of Itale Elites in Ibaji local government area of Kogi state, have debunked the claims that the entire people of Aluaja community in Iyanno had returned to their ancestral home, describing the statement as “propaganda and a lie from the pit of hell.”
They also refuted the claim that the state government committee implementing the report of the panel of inquiry accompanied the people of Aluaja home.
In separate statements signed by chairmen of the associations Mr. James Oducheju and Emmanuel Ojimah, respectively, and made available to newsmen in Lokoja yesterday, the statements indicated that no government committee of the panel led the people of Aluaja back to their ancestral home on December 2, 2017 from where they fled three years ago.
The associations, however, explained that a few members of Ujah family in Aluaja returned home, adding that those concerned were not taken back by any government committee.
The statements also condemned in absolute terms the installation of one Mr Emmanuel Ugbaje, as the clan head of Aluaja community by the king of Iyano, Chief Simon Egwuda, pointing out that the installation of Ugbaje was not only against the tradition but an abomination.
They indicated that Ugbaje was not traditionally qualified to be a clan head of his own clan, Iyemi, let alone the title given to him for the entire Aluaja.
According to the statements, “We are appealing to the state committee on Iyano crises to recommend in their report to government on the urgent need for Chief Egwuda to withdraw the title for peace to reign.”
The associations reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and obedience of the people of Aluaja to the state government, noting that they were waiting patiently for government to take them back to their ancestral home.
The Attah Ogakwu of Iyano-Ibaji, Chief Simon Egwuda, had expressed happiness with the reported return of the internally displaced people of Aluaja when he thanked the state government for its intervention.
This he said followed the implementation of the report of a judicial commission of inquiry set up by the state government to ensure a lasting reconciliation amongst the warring communities.
