The Niniji Nupe Development Association, on behalf of the Nupe people of Kogi East (known as Bassa-Nge), said it categorically rejects any attempt to include her people in the proposal for the creation of Okura State by Igala people.
According to a jointly signed statement by the national president Barr. Abdulaleem Haruna and national publicity secretary Pharm. Gabriel Gambo Nmadu, the reason for the objection among others is the continuous subjugation and marginalization of their people by the Igala people.
“Our people, who are largely located in Bassa-Nge District of Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State, with kith and kin across the rivers in Lokoja and Ajaokuta LGAs, have a long and historical connection with the larger Nupe family spread across Kwara State, Niger State, and the Federal Capital Territory. The attempt to subsume our identity under an arrangement for which we were neither consulted on, nor consented to, is ridiculous and totally unacceptable”.
The leadership also said, even if they were consulted, they would have unequivocally expressed their firm desire to remain united with their Nupe brothers and sisters across the Niger and Benue rivers, adding that the mere existence of rivers should not be construed as natural boundaries that justify political separation.
“+Many states and communities in Nigeria have rivers and bridges within them without such barriers defining their political affiliations. For instance, Kogi State itself spans both banks of the Niger River, just as Rivers and Bayelsa States share water boundaries without losing their internal cohesion. In the same vein, River Benue does not separate North Bank from Makurdi in Benue State, and River Kaduna passes right through Kaduna State. Lagos and several other capital cities of the world have rivers flowing through them.
“We, therefore, call on the National Assembly, its Committees on State Creation, the Kogi State House of Assembly, and all relevant stakeholders to take note of our position and ensure that our people’s will is respected.
“Any proposed state creation process must be inclusive, just, and reflective of the historical and cultural ties of the communities involved. It is their claim that all the other tribes in Kogi East (including the Bassa-Komu people, the Igbira people, the Ibaji people, the Ibos, the Hausas and even our own Bassa-Nge people) are just about 15% of the Igala population – a clear signal of perpetual socio-economic and political marginalization.
“Accordingly, we, the good people of Bassa-Nge District in Bassa LGA of Kogi State are NOT FOR OKURA STATE and must immediately be expunged from every map or proposals for consideration of Okura State”.
Furthermore, the leadership of the Bassa- Nge people urged her traditional institutions, community leaders, political representatives, and other stakeholders to stand firm in defending the unity and integrity of the Nupe people in Kogi State.
